By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Frank Ocean Paid Tribute To His Late Brother During Coachella Set
He also offered an update on his next album—sort of.
Frank Ocean paid tribute to his late brother during his Coachella set this weekend, a moving moment amidst an otherwise confusing and somewhat underwhelming return to the stage.
“These last couple years, my life changed so much,” he told the crowd in Indio Sunday night. “My brother and I, we came to this festival a lot and I felt like I was dragged out here half the time because I hated the dust.”
The “Novacane” singer went on to describe seeing Rae Sremmurd at Coachella as one of his favorite memories with his brother, Ryan Breaux, who died in a car accident back in 2020 at just 18 years old.
“I know he would have been so excited to be here with all of us, and I want to say thank you for the support and love all this time,” Ocean added.
\u201cFrank Ocean on why he\u2019s performing at Coachella tonight\n\n\u201cMy brother and I, we came to this festival a lot. [...] I know he would\u2019ve been so excited to be here with all of us.\u201d\u201d— Kurrco (@Kurrco) 1681713389
Coachella marked the musician’s first performance in six years, though the hype over his headlining act was somewhat tampered before Ocean even reached the stage. It was announced at the last minute that the show would not be livestreamed like the rest of the festival, and the show ultimately started an hour later than it was meant to.
Varietycalled the set “a disorganized, meandering mess,” while The AV Clubnoted disappointment among fans both present and not while still praising Ocean’s “virtuosic ability to express emotion” and the impact that has on any crowd gathered to watch him perform.
The show ultimately wrapped up early due to curfew rules, though the singer did toss fans a bone by hinting at a follow-up album to 2016’s Blondie. The catch seems to be that there isn’t one right now, but he suggested there will be one…at some point down the line. And after seven years, that vague promise seems better than nothing.
It would appear, based on his words about a new album at Coachella, that Ocean has not actually quit music.
Ocean's given name is Christopher Edwin Breaux, although he has had it legally changed.
Ocean was born in Long Beach, California.
Rachel Kiley is presumably a writer and definitely not a terminator. She can usually be found crying over queerbaiting in the Pitch Perfect franchise or on Twitter, if not both.
Rachel Kiley is presumably a writer and definitely not a terminator. She can usually be found crying over queerbaiting in the Pitch Perfect franchise or on Twitter, if not both.
