Frank Ocean Introduces "Pyramids" and North American tour

Frank Ocean, born Christopher Francis Breaux, in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a very talented 24-year-old singer, songwriter, and rapper. If his name does not sound familiar, maybe some of the people he has worked with ring a bell. He has written music for John Legend, Justin Bieber, Beyoncé (“I Miss You”, on her 4 album), and he is featured on Jay-Z and Kanye West’s, “No Church in the Wild.”

In 2011, Frank Ocean, released his stellar debut mix tape, Nostalgia, Ultra.  From the mix tape, Ocean released “Novacane”—the hit single laced with sex and drugs, and “Swim Good”—a song about heartbreak and finally getting over a love lost.

Aside from the mix tapes, the mastermind behind Nostalgia, Ultra, has announced the title of his new debut album and American tour, slated to start July. Channel Orange is scheduled for release on July 17, and has already gained attention from its single, “Pyramids.”

“Pyramids,” has the sound and feeling of an ‘80s R&B song and slowly advances to a bass-laden modern day track. Frank is able to lyrically capture audiences with his artistic wordplay and metaphorical stories. The 10-minute song tells the historical story of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, and tells the story of a prostitute/ stripper named Cleopatra, who works at the strip club, the Pyramid. The first half of the song tells the story of Queen Cleopatra and her lover running to escape their fate, while the second half of the song tells of Cleopatra and her suitor going through an exodus to the future, where she is portrayed as a prostitute/ stripper and her lover as being a pimp. Musical transitions in the song mark the transitions of stories from the past to the present and showcases the musical tastes of the past into the present.

I really like this song and consider Frank Ocean a lyrical genius. I have already bought my ticket to the Channel Orange tour in Atlanta and can’t wait to go. Stay tuned next month for my review of the concert.

After listening to “Pyramids”, do you think you will tune into Channel Orange this summer?