Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Zabriskie, Queen
Area of Concentration
Humanities
Abstract
This paper examines the early career of sing and songwriter Frank Ocean as it relates to the corporate music industry and its history of Black cultural exploitation. Using the story surrounding the release of Ocean’s 2016 album Blonde, this paper explores how he successfully subverts conventional music industry practices regarding artistic direction, marketing and business practices. The framework of this paper emphasizes the importance of how artists form relationships with three key entities that ultimately enable them to build successful careers: artist and art, artist and audience, and artist and industry. Using this framework allows a thorough exploration of artistry as it intersects with sociology, ritual theory, and business marketing. This paper argues that Frank Ocean reimagines ways of forming these relationships. This allows him to successfully liberate himself from an exploitative position as a musician signed to a record label deal.
Recommended Citation
Ayers, Andre, ""BEATING MY OPPONENT": AN EXAMINATION OF FRANK OCEAN'S STRATEGY TO SUCCESS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY" (2020). Theses & ETDs. 5902.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/5902