Decoding the Frank Ocean vs Travis Scott feud
Frank Ocean is a rapper and singer who first made his name as the quiet, softly-spoken member of Odd Future. Ocean’s reclusive persona was intriguing and refreshing for fans, but he also had a unique look. Some may have described him as ‘abstract’ or even slightly ‘lonely’ looking, but that was part of his appeal.
The vocalist has always been a quiet figure, and any time he emerges with new music, fans and artists alike are excited to hear from the Blonde musician. Since his rise to fame in the early 2010s, Ocean has remained shrouded in mysticism and has never been seen in any sort of feud. However, in 2018, rumours began to circulate that the Channel Orange creator was in a beef with Travis Scott.
The news came as a shock to many as it seemed so unlike Ocean to quarrel with a fellow musician, but details did later emerge explaining why an issue had occurred, though it wasn’t big. That year, Scott and Ocean collaborated on the track ‘Carousel,’ which appeared on the iconic Astroworld album. However, news arrived via TMZ that Ocean had sent a cease-and-desist letter to Scott, and hip-hop was eager to hear where the issue lay.
The initial report from TMZ insinuated that the ‘Pink + White’ singer was “pissed” that his vocals were changed on the track. Furthermore, it suggested that Scott had rudely decided to rearrange the vocals without notifying Ocean. However, the Louisiana native consigned the misleading TMZ to the trash heap of lies and misinformation, telling fans in a statement on Tumblr, “I think the song sounds cool. I did it in like 20 minutes, and the mix sounds the way Travis wanted it to sound for his record,”
He added, “I also approved it before it came out so the cease and desist wasn’t about [sound emoji] it was about [rainbow flag emoji]. Me and Travis resolved it amongst ourselves weeks ago.” Ocean revealed the issue
Scott and Ocean had disagreed after the former decided to transgender model Amanda Lepore from Astroworld’s alternate album cover. Scott initially uploaded the cover with several female models. However, he then posted that same cover to his own Instagram, but with Lepore, only Lepore was removed.
At first, fans and Ocean alike assumed he had come under pressure from his team to drop Lepore on the basis of her being part of the LGBTQ community. However, the shoot’s photographer, David LaChapelle explained to all that the choice was purely aesthetic, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “Amanda was taken out because she just upstaged everyone.”
Scott then replied, writing, “Thank you David Lachappelle and Amanda Lepore and everyone that came out to make all the covers and the vision come to life!!! ASTROWORLD IS ABOUT LOVE AND EXPRESSION NOT HATE!”
After Ocean’s Tumblr statement telling fans he was not in a beef with Travis and unveiling that it had all been sorted months before behind the scenes, Scott attempted to dispel the rumours by posting a photo of Ocean’s merchandise on Instagram with the caption: “Someone I call family and always will. Has taught me a ton. And a true inspiration in an out of the Stu Gang.”
For all of the reporting done by TMZ and questioning from fans, the “beef” was ultimately much ado about nothing and the cease and desist letter was sent as a preventative measure should Scott get caught in a scandal involving the LGBTQ community.