Dagitab

It’s not about letting go or moving on because they never really leave. They leave a void and you carry that void with you, always. It’s a matter of growing up; you just become a bigger person until that void doesn’t feel as big.

2013, 2016

A tornado flew around my room before you came

Channel ORANGE‘s impact transcends the awards and critical acclaim. Let’s ignore the Grammy and gold RIAA certification. Let’s ignore the labels of “masterpiece” and “classic.” Let’s look at it for what it truly is—a man spilling his torn heart onto a record for the world to see and hear. There’s something in there that nearly everyone can relate to. The reason channel ORANGE is still played religiously three years later is thanks as much to its wide-reaching accessibility as to its outstanding sound. It’s one of those rare projects that will still be revered—and relevant—decades from now.

I’m not the same person I was three years ago, and I’m sure Frank isn’t either. As he gears up to tell yet another story sometime this month, I won’t be forgetting his debut effort. It’s the album that helped me cope with heartbreak, mature as a person, and view the world from a different perspective. Honestly, I don’t know how he’ll be able to top it. But something tells me that I’ll learn a few more things from whatever Frank chooses to share.

Thank you, Frank Ocean. We are just human beings spinning on blackness.

HOW FRANK OCEAN’S ‘CHANNEL ORANGE’ CHANGED MY LIFE

A friend posted this up on his Facebook this morning. Couldn't help thinking back around this time two years ago--I'd listen to Frank Ocean nonstop as well because I. just. understood. His music helped me everyday as I try to outgrow the loss of a first love.

I'll be listening to Frank Ocean all day today as we anticipate his new album. Also to remember that, sure, I'm only being honest when I say I still carry that sadness with me after years, but I've also learned to be open to other precious beautiful things--things that make that sadness fade, things that make me value the love--all the love--that I get to keep even for just a short moment.

I'll just end this by sharing with you one of the best Frank Ocean covers I've encountered (I even asked her to email me an .mp3 lol). My friend Sophia and I share deep deep adoration for Frank Ocean's music. She was also lucky enough to catch one of his shows that winter in 2013 (I think a week before I traveled to Boston and crashed with her, ugh). I wish I could sing as well as she does to show it.

Half a year

It's such a shame for us to part

I'm using your ringtone again coz it's about goddamn time, son

Love--a grave mental disease

Fifty ways to leave your lover alone

I'm going on a date tonight
To try to fall out of love with you
I know, I know this is a crime
But I don't know what else to do

My love, you're in a magazine
My love, you're doing fine, you're on TV
You pull my heart out and then you run away
From Chicago to Cleveland you leave me pain
You leave me pain

When you're lucid you're the sweetest thing
I would trade my mother to hear you sing
When you're lucid you're the sweetest thing
I would trade my mother

On the bus radio, "Fifty ways to leave your lover alone"
I laughed at the irony
But life is stupid, the irony all lost on me
It got lost on me

You challenged me to write a love song
Here it is, I think I got it wrong
I focused on the negative
The pain was too much to write and sing
Oh, it was not a nice incentive

But she don't know just how far I'd go
Would I walk for a hundred miles
For an instant northern smile

What should I do?

What will help you?