Frank Ocean didn’t submit his Blonde album for Grammy consideration, so there will be no Ocean performance or Grammy wins this year. Even though Ocean called it his “Colin Kaeperinick moment,” Grammy producers Ken Ehrlich and David Wild suspect Ocean’s decision is based on his painfully awkward 2013 performance.
During a recent Rolling Stone podcast, Ehrlich and Wild said it was Ocean’s fault his performance kind of sucked. “We executed his vision knowing that it was faulty,” Ehrlich claimed. “We tried to tell him that, we tried to tell his management that, we tried to tell the record label that. So, his feelings about the Grammys right now, I would imagine, probably go back to that in one way. But honestly, it wasn’t us.”
Well, Ehrlich is wrong. Frank Ocean’s decision to hold back his album has nothing to do with his 2013 performance and everything to do with the Grammys being out of touch and Ocean already knowing his worth.
The “Nikes” artist responded to the Grammy producers’ shade with a Tumblr post explaining why he didn’t submit Blonde for consideration. For starters, Ocean says TV awards don’t christen him a success. “I bought all my masters back last year in the prime of my career, that’s successful. Blonde sold a million plus without a label, that’s successful.” Another issue is Taylor Swift beating Kendrick Lamar for Album of the Year in 2016.
“I’ve actually been tuning into CBS around this time of year for a while to see who gets the top honor and you know what’s really not ‘great TV’ guys? 1989 getting album of the year over To Pimp A Butterfly. Hands down one of the most ‘faulty’ TV moments I’ve seen.”
Ocean also goes on to say the producers need to “listen to the people,” adding this bit of delicious shade: “Believe the ones who’d rather watch select performances from your program on YouTube the day after because your show puts them to sleep.” Where is that 100 emoji when you need it?!
Read Frank Ocean’s full statement below:
Ok Ken (and David). As much as I hate to make you guys famous or even respond to you directly. We all die one day and you’re old so fuck it. Yea yea my 2013 performance at the Grammys was absolute shit. Technical difficulties, blah blah. Thanks for the reminder. Very much appreciated. Fuck that performance though. You think that’s why I kept my work out of the Grammy process this year? Don’t you think I would’ve wanted to play the show to ‘redeem’ myself if I felt that way? In reality, I actually wanted to participate in honoring Prince on the show but then I figured my best tribute to that man’s legacy would be to continue to be myself out here and to be successful.
Winning a TV award doesn’t christen me successful. It took me some time to learn that. I bought all my masters back last year in the prime of my career, that’s successful. Blonde sold a million plus without a label, that’s successful. I am young, black, gifted and independent.. that’s my tribute. I’ve actually been tuning into CBS around this time of year for a while to see who gets the top honor and you know what’s really not ‘great TV’ guys? 1989 getting album of the year over To Pimp A Butterfly. Hands down one of the most ‘faulty’ TV moments I’ve seen.
Believe the people. Believe the ones who’d rather watch select performances from your program on YouTube the day after because your show puts them to sleep. Use the old gramophone to actually listen bro, I’m one of the best alive. And if you’re up for a discussion about the cultural bias and general nerve damage the show you produce suffers from then I’m all for it. Have a good night.
