Ocean launches mysterious livestream

Frank Ocean shared a livestream on Monday that appeared to show him doing woodwork, after months of suspense about his upcoming album.
Frank Ocean shared a livestream on Monday that appeared to show him doing woodwork, after months of suspense about his upcoming album. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

NEW YORK • After months of suspense about Frank Ocean's long-awaited new album Boys Don't Cry, the artist on Monday shared some news - that he can saw wood.

The mellow hip-hop star put on his website a mysterious livestream that appeared to show him doing woodwork next to two tables and amplifiers.

Little else was clear about the livestream which, by the afternoon, showed an empty room, with static as the only sound.

Fans on social media speculated about the meaning, with one theory being that Ocean was explaining that he was still working on the album.

He has revealed little about Boys Don't Cry, other than the title.

His website shows a library due-date card with a series of dates; the only future one is Nov 13, raising speculation that it is the album's release date.

He won wide acclaim for his 2012 debut album Channel Orange, which defies easy classification by bringing together R&B, jazz and funk in his gentle falsetto.

Much of the album revolves around feelings of first and unrequited love.

Ocean later revealed that his first love was a man, a rare openness in the often macho world of hip-hop that led stars including Jay Z to applaud him for coming out.

At least one sign was unambiguous on his website's livestream - the logo of streaming service Apple Music.

The tech giant has sought out exclusives as it tries to challenge streaming leader Spotify, although it is unclear if Boys Don't Cry will be among them.

Canadian rapper Drake initially made Views, his top-selling album released this year in the United States, an exclusive on Apple Music and Apple's iTunes.

Music-streaming service Tidal, led by Jay Z, has also had initial exclusives for some of the biggest releases this year, Beyonce's Lemonade and Rihanna's Anti.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 03, 2016, with the headline Ocean launches mysterious livestream. Subscribe