Frank Ocean releases single “DHL”
During the latest episode of Blonded Radio, Frank Ocean premiered his first original track since “Provider.” in 2017. As episode 008 of the Beats 1 program neared completion, the DJs played three new songs in sequential order. First was “Cayendo (Sango Remix),” followed by Sango’s remix of “Nights”, and finally “DHL”—Frank’s new single.
The track was written by Frank Ocean, Alexander Ridha (Boys Noize), Jennifer Ivory, George Jones, Starleana Taylor, and Stephen Washington. It was produced by Frank Ocean, Boys Noize, Noah Goldstein, and Daniel Aged.
Producer Boys Noize discussed how the track came about during a studio session for A$AP Rocky’s Babushka Boi in interviews with The Fader and Complex.
The artwork for the single was designed by Michel Egger who has previously worked with Frank on layout and cover design for Blonde, Endless, and “Provider.” The PrEP+-style lettering was done by Nejc Prah, and the photography is by Ian Kenneth Bird.
Related Articles:
In an Instagram comment, Ocean clarified that the “unreleased 2020 project” circulating online in recent years is not a scrapped album of his and some of its tracks are inauthentic. He also explained the origin of the “LAUWIL” tagline, which some fans had mistaken for the title and rollout of his fifth album.
Frank Ocean’s scrapped vinyl—originally intended to replace “Little Demon” orders in 2020—sold on eBay for a price that ranks it among the most expensive 7-inch singles ever sold on the site.
The unreleased 7-inch vinyl track has surfaced three years after Frank Ocean shelved its release due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The back sides of the “ThinkPad” and “Chairman” posters sold by Blonded in December 2022 form a missive by the “Recording Artist” that details his past events and alludes to his future music projects.
In the first episode of his Apple Music 1 radio program in two years, Ocean interviewed the Dutch motivational speaker about “how to change your mind.” The third Blonded Radio Christmas special concludes with a 9-minute freestyle, titled “Come On World, You Can’t Go!”
In the brand’s first merch drop since January 2020, Blonded has released several new T-shirt designs and a double-sided poster.
The undelivered 7-inch single, sold by Blonded in November 2019, has been stricken by a little demon: the coronavirus. In February 2020, customers were first notified that their orders would be replaced with a new record, later revealed to be Ocean’s unreleased single “These Days.” However, those orders are now being refunded due to supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The tracks feature different artwork on streaming services than on the digital copies included with the DropCards in the 7-inch vinyl packaging.
Blonded notified customers via email that their “Little Demon” 7-inch vinyl, sold in November 2019, will be substituted with an upcoming single. The message does not provide a reason for the change, although it may be due to supply chain issues caused by the recent coronavirus outbreak.
Frank Ocean lists “In My Room” and “Little Demon” vinyl singles for sale, alongside more PrEP+ T-shirts, a silk scarf, and an LSD-inspired art print.
The background visuals feature the same vintage disco ball used to light the dance floor at Ocean’s recent club night events, PrEP+.
The release of this track bucks the trends of the past few years, where new songs are debuted on the artist’s Beats 1 radio program, Blonded Radio, then released to the public on all platforms after.
Alexander Ridha discusses crafting “DHL” with Frank Ocean during a studio session with A$AP Rocky.
During the latest episode of Blonded Radio, Frank Ocean premiered his first original track since “Provider.”
In a surprise merch drop following Frank Ocean’s premiere PrEP+ party on Thursday, the artist is releasing two of the tracks he premiered there on vinyl, “Cayendo” and “Dear April,” as well as two Blonded logo and PrEP+ T-shirts.
Blonded Radio returns on Apple Music’s Beats 1. DJs played three new songs to conclude the program. First, two remixes by Sango—Frank’s new track “Cayendo” and “Nights”—and lastly, “DHL”—Frank’s new single.
“Not funded by Gilead Sciences; funded by Blonded, independently.” Frank Ocean clarifies his intentions and inspirations for his club night series PrEP+ following its debut. The open letter dispels some rumors surrounding the event, which takes its name from the HIV-prevention medicine Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, better known as PrEP.
Frank Ocean posted a cryptic photo on Instagram that seems to foreshadow an upcoming project. The image shows a pile of white T-shirts with “The Future of the World” printed across the front. Exactly what that entails is unclear, but the possibilities include the title of a tour, live event, album, single, Blonded Radio slogan, or another creative endeavor.
Frank dropped a late Valentine’s Day present on the digital doorsteps of his followers at roughly 3 AM EST.
Pitchfork Contributing Editor Jayson Greene lays out the case for why Frank was able to win 2017 without releasing an album.
The video begins with the visual artist entering his NYC studio and assembling a custom boombox, which he labels “Model 60.” After inserting a cassette and pressing play, karaoke-style lyrics flash across the screen as a Hello Kitty head bounces over the words in time with the song.
The seventh episode of Blonded Radio features Frank Ocean freestyling over 2 Chainz’s “Rolls Royce Bitch,” as well as a new single titled “Provider.”
"Chirp, chirp…” A new single from Tyler, The Creator called "911/Mr. Lonely" has been released ahead of the rapper’s forthcoming album Flower Boy. The song also features Anna of the North, Steve Lacy, A$AP Rocky, and ScHoolboy Q.
Episode 006 of Frank Ocean’s Blonded Radio brought a new version of “Biking,” two versions of “RAF,” and the official album artwork for Endless.
Episode 005 comes just 24 hours after 004 and features a new mix of Frank Ocean’s 2016 Endless track “Slide On Me,” featuring Young Thug.