"Donnie "Colored Section" vs. Frank Ocean "Channel Orange"" Wed Jul-18-12 12:04 PM by TRENDone
listening to Channel Orange today reminded me of when I first listened to Colored Section 10 years ago...Channel Orange got more of a hip-hop vibe to it tho.
I was thinking how even Donnie--who was openly out--didn't make any songs explicitly referring to loving "him" whereas Frank did it about three times on CO. Have times changed? Frank braver?
4. "Yes times have changed but Frank's in a better position than Donnie" In response to Reply # 3 Wed Jul-18-12 03:41 PM by Otis Oliver Ocean
ever was having been aligned with a group like OF (and been featured on a Jay & Ye album) and already had the ear of the Hip Hop community BEFORE he came out helped him a lot. His foot was already in the door. Donnie just released alotta good music with no connections. Sadly that ain't what it take to blow up.
6. "RE: Great point. But conversely" In response to Reply # 5 Wed Jul-18-12 07:00 PM by Otis Oliver Ocean
>Do you think Frank had more to lose because of all that >momentum and being on a major high profile label?
Yes, but havin more of a lot to lose is better than havin alot of nothin to lose. Plus since the times done changed, I thank Frank also had a lot to gain seein how people is makin mainstream careers outta OPENLY caterin to gay folk (Gaga comes to mind). Mostly tho Frank bein in with OF gave him not only a lot mo fans but alotta WHITE (and other ethnicities) fans who won't give two shits about his sexuality. Donnie was LARGELY sangin to black audiences and one look at that "Would you date a bi man" post in General Discussion should let you know what coming completely out woulda did to Donnie's career.
9. ""The Colored Section" was Perfect; a Slept on Album" In response to Reply # 0 Thu Jul-19-12 02:26 AM by J-Elijah
"The Colored Section" was timeless soul music - instant joy to the ears "Channel Orange" is eclectic, poetic R & B - an acquired taste. I played Donnie at a family cookout, and everyone was loving it. I can't see playing Frank Ocean at a family reunion in between the Frankie Beverly and Maze and Earth, Wind, & Fire. I prefer Donnie to Frank though, because his voice was filled with passion and conviction similar to Donny Hathaway. Maybe, the reason why he didn't blow up was because he didn't have the looks or personae of Maxwell, Chico, or D'Angelo. I don't remember any of his music videos really making an impact on BET or VH1. Donnie is kind of like Esthero and Leela James, such great, distinctive voices that somehow have not attained mainstream success though they are certainly talented enough and worthy.
10. "Sound mo like you sayin Donnie is traditional and familiar." In response to Reply # 9 Thu Jul-19-12 03:05 AM by Otis Oliver Ocean
Which ol Otis totally agree with cause it ain't no denyin he do have that relic feel. I caint necessarily say he better tho. Not cause he ain't good but mainly cause Donnie followed a sonic blueprint that's done been laid out. This here Ocean fella is creatin somethin new right fo our eyes (or at the very least, puttin some musicality, thoughtful poetry, and musically "respectable" elements into the current format) so you ain't gone get that "instant vintage" feel. However for him to be capturin so many people with something fresh and innovative is really somethin. If yo elder relatives immediately feel familiar with somethin, that usually just mean it sound like throwback (or "outdated") music that ain't takin no risks tbh.