Frank Ocean is blowing up. He’s got an album and a tour coming up later this year, and he’s fast becoming the hottest male R&B star on our radar. I’d like to think that the decision to feature this epic ballad (10 minutes!) as his latest single was inspired by his recent collaboration with Kanye West on Watch The Throne. It feels more like two or three solid songs than a truly cohesive whole, but it’s much more original than most other mainstream soul offerings. Here’s hoping Channel Orange works out.

And you know what? If he really hits it big, more power to him. Ocean toiled in anonymity for years as a ghostwriter for artists such as John Legend who should have had the moral fiber to give him at least some credit. Here’s hoping more actual songwriters like Frank get their due.

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Frank Ocean – Pyramids

(Thanks to AW Music for the heads-up!)