Frank Ocean: Creative Advice, Protecting Your Energy, and How to Finish Projects 

Nobody becomes an overnight sensation. Sure, there are a lot of external factors that can impact a persons success in the arts. It can feel almost random at times, like how of all people? But it truly comes down to surrounding yourself with positive influences and collaborators, being consistent in your work and what you stand for, and above all producing work that you yourself are extremely proud of. The beauty of being private is allowing yourself the time to experiment, hone in on a craft or idea, free from the public’s interference. It’s bound to make a bigger splash. But its really not even about that, its about your own personal grown and the exploration of your own identity and the ideas you want to express. Be thankful for the moment you’re in right now, because once you’ve so called “made it” - things only become harder for you to create. Flip the script and start realizing that being at “the bottom” of your career is a liberating experience. You can comfortably move in any direction as you wish. Something I think a lot of established artist miss from their past. Just keep moving, and ignore that feeling of being someone. Be you, and share that if you’re comfortable, that’s all that really matters anyways.

What steve lacy said about having the confidence without ego just being confident in the love of music hit me because it’s true I’m confident that I’ll forever be doing this along with the follow up of frank saying that he has to do it in excellence. That’s one thing about me is I’ll do a take 3 4 5 times or in different studios until it’s right. This one is inspirational going to the studio right after I get my groceries. Thanks for the feature as well Will 💜 Love

I love Drake, but he himself knows he’s very accessible. The modern day artist posts a lot on Instagram and knows how to use social media to stay relevant (for their art, not drama) and can also use it on their roll out. Frank has created a brand where he dropped two albums within 24 hours with no previous announcement. The album, the art itself IS THE announcement.

I understand the point of his work ethic and outcome but he is already a world star and has no outside pressure or financial problems. He can take his time with his art and with his projects. If you are a new artist you don't have that privilege. Either you release constantly and fast or you don't get any attention... That's the way it is.

Your work is essential. On behalf of the creative community worldwide, from an artist to an artist, THANK YOU!!!!!! Please keep these videos coming.

Insular is the way of artists. I feel like a lot of the artists I consider to be successful/iconic/genius do not find themselves exerting so much energy that they cannot tend to their craft. It's always a moment alone or finding themselves to be alone that leads to their minds to explore new spaces. Honestly, one moment in particular, when Tyler, the Creator made "Boredom" he mentions how he was alone in his house and unable to find anything interesting to go to. Rather than forcing himself out the door and preoccupied with other people's presence, he grabbed a journal and started to write about his feelings. He gave the song some purpose, created a world for his ideas to coexist, THEN BAM! The Grammy nom happened and he's been ineffable since. I do believe this makes for a lesson to be replicated, ya know? 😉

Frank has always been a huge inspiration for me as I became involved with music. The truth that he shares about not inviting everyone into your creative process is often overlooked. There is only one you! & Social media makes it so easy for anyone to share anything and receive instant validation, but hearing about how Frank would travel with the drive that he's sending to work on his songs shines light on true commitment to one's craft. Everyone has their own creative process and to invest in that while focusing less on others' opinions is a worthy investment.

After watching this video something really moved in me. Almost like my gut saying “that’s what you needed right?” Thank you for this piece of art.

dude i love how you differentiate yourself by saying "higher vibration" i think that is so crucial and you are doing so much good by operating and spreading light in your higher vibrational state.

The narrative of this video was extremely well written. A lot of these styles of videos just repeat things other people have said but you did a great job at contextualising and elaborating on certain areas. Thank you for this 👏🏻

Such a dope channel bro. Love the community aspect you include. As someone who works behind the scenes in the music industry this really motivated me to get back into my creative mindset and continue making clothing. I think one thing that stuck out was “people suck at finishing” and for me that’s true af. Appreciate the inspo!

I find it hard to finish projects and realize how negative that has been on work that I do video scenes. Because of the lack of finishing, I lack the confidence to start, so this video was helpful, giving me points on protecting my creative process and just completing projects.

Somehow you made all these clips I’ve seen so many times feel so fresh

I love this channel so much and also this video, I’m an athlete and an artist who loves music, drawing, and photography/film. I have problems in both of these avenues though, I’m constantly getting injured in my sport and it can be demotivating, in art I find myself procrastinating by distracting myself with other things. Even With these obstacles, I still see myself persevering in the future with new ideas coming in everyday. This channel has been really cool to see different perspectives of people who are so motivated and relevant in our culture. Keep up the great work man

If you can enjoy something without having to share it with others first, congrats. That's rare nowadays.

There’s definitely a level of intrigue to a mysterious artist ina world where it feels like everyone is seen and accessible due to social media. Frank is a master of the elusive perception. And it adds to the allure of his output.

This was a very helpful reminder of the problems most creative minds face. Very inspiring thanks for sharing your talents with the world xxxx

this makes me not want to be so afraid of creating anymore. at some point i was getting somewhere with a following but some life events happened and i stopped creating. then i started back up but i don't know how to promote or maintain my vision or get help. it's a weird thing, like artistic shame or something. something that makes me think i'm only as good as people tell me i am and if i stray away from that i won't be liked. thinking i shouldn't feature certain themes or become more experimental and vulnerable with what i want to show/convey because, "what will they think?" to the point i won't even create what inspires me even if it won't be shown to other people. i forgot how to 100% accept myself regardless of everything else. yeah most people are not going to like my experimental work, it's going to make some people uncomfortable but i should still do it. if i think it's worth it, then it is, because i love doing it.

I really enjoyed and appreciated the motivating vibes in this video. I learned a lot of new things about Frank Ocean, woot woot! As a music artist myself, I too have trouble finishing songs/projects out of fear of perfectionism. More like a BIG enemy of mine lol. After watching this video, I felt like just getting into my creating mode and going at it. That's such a powerful feeling to feel and it's too amazing that you were able to do that through this video. Thank you 🙏🏼

Well I’m glad I watched this. This is work that transforms! Grateful xx

your next favourite musician could be watching this video right now, getting inspired. 🌟 thanks for sharing

Hey! Thank you for sharing this video. I really like it. Also i want to thank you for putting real subtitles. I really appreciate them, im deaf/hard of hearing, and they are really helpful for me. Thank you for taking the time to put them. I love your channel, i always get inspired. Thank you! Have a good day and enjoy the journey! Lots love!

I’m an athlete but I see sports as art. I love seeing the way other artists go about their way of creativity and how I can translate it to the field. Great videos 👍🏾

I feel like I’ve severed my relationship with my creative drive, often the idea of creating in any way just fills me with anxiety, sometimes I even want to throw up or not eat at all, this, thanks for sharing, I’m sure this will help

What a great video! Loved it 😁 There is something about the flow of things that gets interrupted when you try to force something in general. And that forcing can come from yourself or others it feels. And then about that when you share too early with other people, if they dont have the ability to let it flow naturally, they start forcing it for you into a specific direction. And thereby cuts the connection to that flow with source, or dance with the creative force in reality. Like when you have a conversation with someone who is like that, compared to someone who is in tune and can flow together with you. It is different. So it is perhaps a principle of reality that is beyond creating music or art, but also interacting with people and nature.

i see everything as art, and that changes how i approach everything

This video is incredible. From top to bottom it is perfect. It's an incredible video about Frank, and your analysis is so interesting and honest and I got a lot from it. This is one of those YT videos you find that changes your life man

Wow! I really enjoyed this video. I think it’s going to help for sure! One thing I struggle with is finishing and like frank im more of a singer, and I struggle with producing because mostly I feel negatively when I create, which ultimately stops me from creating bc I doubt myself about everything. I don’t know if it’s fear or what. This channel is truly a gem and I definitely think it’s going to help bc I don’t feel so alone

Amazing! Thank you for the great video :)

This was tremendously insightful. I've been talking to myself a lot about how I need to build the skills that allow me to show up for myself musically... And represent the uniqueness that I have to offer to the best of my ability.

Your videos are a gem bro. Thank you for your service ♥️

“ here we see a foundational piece to artistic confidence: …a commitment to the art itself, as opposed to the approval structures that might or might not come from the output of his work As artist, living inside a market, driven society, these foundational commitments can offer us the freedom to move in directions that might feel true to us but not look to represent huge financial value or approval” 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

LUV this one. Thanks so much for including my video + song toooo

Yay a new video! And it’s frankocean this time...perfect!

Great message. Create because you love it. Period.

Him and childish should do something together 💯💯🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

This video changed my life

My favorite channel at the moment 🤞🏽

Wow thank you for this, I will surely study the vid! GOD bless ❤️

Frank Ocean is so Underrated

Love your vids bro

Love Frank Ocean. And looking forward to your video about Steve ❤

Powerful. Thank you. Part 2 xx

You’re awesome dude, thanks for this momentum boost

We all know that no matter what happens, his album will be successful. His album will be #1 debut. But it's the expectations. He knows that if he doesn't meet the unfair expectations of the world, he will be seen as wasting the better half of a decade. He will take his time and we will wait. I respect it.

This was so enriching and inspiring. I needed this! Thank you 🙏

This was a really insightful and motivating subject. Thanks to all the contributors.

needed this video. thank you.

damn first son, this channel is nutty bro keep it up (:

Love this dearly!

These are some really key points of the creative process. Thank you for sharing.

Your Content is amazing 🌟

thanks for sharing!

Your videos are brilliant 🙌🙌🙌

Well done mate...always love your content!

"How is all this externalization, affecting the creative work itself?" Self-ownership as the protective creator. I feel like TikTok and Instagram has made people choreograph aspects of their life. Something that could be explained through by just talking into the camera becomes a dancing act and consuming the content can be draining for the audience. Yeah, if it's not your cup of tea you can just skip it but if we think from the creator's perspective they possibly think if I create this kind of content then I'm able to add to my brand or image and in some cases, to me, it comes off not genuine. I understand what Frank was saying about not telling people. When I was in the process of publishing my first real project (which I later did) I didn't tell a lot of people. Probably only a few friends but I didn't tell my parents. I wanted it to be hidden. The portion of Little Simz talking makes me think of what I've been saying all along, "I want to be the artist that doesn't feel stress wondering if this is good enough or not while in process of making it because that ruins the vibes and the flow of creative juices." I've been on the end of not doing this where I was stressing myself out if people will like the project or not and it made me change things around so I could please others but also myself and that confused the heck out of me and possibly the direction of the project. I also feel like the idea that you can be free but also you should be inside the studio and not let anyone know what you are doing is with established creators or people that have made it. For up-and-coming artists and creators, I need to go to that event and establish those connections, I need to tell people what I am doing or how else will people put my name in rooms when I am not there. Why do people create stuff? It's not a black-and-white answer but the chance to blow up while doing something you love and that you'll know (or hopefully will) grab people's attention has been more in my mind these days than I'm going to "be free and create and change the world with my creations". If I am able to put out that first song or that first short film that grabs people then, in my head, I'm set. But what makes that hit song or hit short film, it comes from being free (very cheeky conclusion). I will also say I suck at finishing. I don't know if it's the wave of spirit that brings me ideas every week as a nudge to work on music but I can't seem to finish the song I start but right now I feel like I am in a transition period where instead of writing poetry poetry, I feel like I should write song poetry. This comment is for a class assignment that was really supposed to be 300 words, carry on and ignore lol.

"If anything about externalizing creativity strikes a chord, please make sure to let us know by externalizing in the comments." 🤣🤣🤣

once you finish one time… everytime wil be just as difficult to finish.

Great Vid... I appreciate the info homie

Loved this

ty bro I needed to hear that

shit takes time. been trynna live off of that, think its an important concept for every artist to have in their thinkin space.

Love this

Inspiring video, 🙏

needed

💤 was here!

Love this channel

I don’t know bout the last part of the title but cool

🔥🔥🔥🙏

Best channel 🔥🔥🔥

good shit man

The more people you just invite into a process that means so much to you, is more of an opportunity for someone to taint your canvas

This has fast become one of my all time favourite channels

So I have a question so do you think I should take time off posting music to focus on becoming a better singer

Mannnnnn keerp up your videos are fking awesome❤❤

For me it's building an album effectively... do you record a lot of random songs that u feel and put them together or do u make songs around d a vibe?

11:15 that lowkey hit hard:/

I’m lost.

Where the brockhampton creative video Ian Joba and the crew are just as creatively as odd future

It’s the way it is until it isn’t.

Its easy to be a star when you had all of odd future to carry you

Anybody know the song or artist name of 5:32?

If you're a rapper that waves a gun at a camera. Take a note on what Steve lacy said

😍

Failing is apart of the artist process

He ate out JB yucky

Needed🫀

Learn how to release a album once every 25 years?

His creative process? He hasn't put out in album in 8 years. You should probably get advice from someone more prolific.

Thanks for all the support and comments on this series. Part two is now live here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-m8KUe5_6aHw.html

What can we learn from Frank Ocean you ask? Don’t drop anything :) like at all. Like ever. Just don’t put your artwork out there for the world to see. Don’t do it. He doesn’t do it. So you shouldn’t either. That’s it. That’s the video. Stop putting your artwork out there for people to see. Don’t release anything ever. Period.

Hey creative mind. Do you have a discord?

im here cuz im desperate for Frank content

I needed to see this. Thank you for sharing the Steven Pressfield quote. I've written hundreds of poems by hand. I still haven't shared any of them but it brings me joy to know that I can still create them. I've always wanted to release a book, but always stopped right at the point of compiling everything for a release. Something in me tells me if I turn my work into a product I will lose something pure. Idk maybe I am overthinking. 🥲

Understanding the creative process through your journey while being aware of your position can take you a long way as a creative/ artist ☁️☁️

it's so refreshing to see other artists with the same mindset as me. i've always feel so bad after sharing unfinished pieces of my work to people because then i tend to lose my tunnel vision and i spend more time focusing on meeting the people's expectations rather than creating what feels right to ME

something came up for me

This video is motivating me to finish a footwear project that’s been stagnant for a while. It was more for myself than any other purpose. I am definitely an artist/designer that struggles with finishing. I’m still finding confidence in myself and my creative process. It feels like an emotional flux because I identify so strongly with my creative self. I wonder how I can find my own lane in fashion beyond working for corporations.

Bro, thanks for inspiring me… plus I never really heard bout little simz and i must say it knocked me off my feet, specially the song "protecting my energy" and "I love you, I hate you" thanks again

❤❤❤❤ I love these discussions