This morning, Frank Ocean returned with the eighth episode of his Beats 1 show “blonded RADIO.” The episode was billed as “blonded Midterms pt. 1.” At 6 p.m. Eastern, the follow-up episode—“blonded Midterms pt. 2”—aired. The third installment of the series aired at 9 p.m. Eastern. Frank referred to the episode on-air as a “luxury” episode to listen to while election results come in. Find the playlists below, and listen to the first two full archived episodes.
“blonded RADIO” is hosted by Vegyn and Roof Access. During “Midterms pt. 1,” Frank decried right-wing conspiracies like #PizzaGate, as well as voter suppression tactics (like gerrymandering and voter ID laws). Late in the episode, amid political discussion, Frank said, “I already get taxed quite a bit, and I wouldn’t sweat it if I got taxed more.” In the second episode, Frank recited the Constitution in fast-motion.
In the third episode, he had a phone conversation with his Auntie Rosie, who offered an extensive critique of “crooked, criminal, phony” Trump. Later, he discussed the inherently political nature of being an “openly queer” black man working in contemporary rap music. “The first thing that comes to my mind is toying with gender and masculine tropes, I think there's a political side to that,” he said. He also argued that Cardi B being as aggressive as her male counterparts “has a political context.” He added, “You can be political often without trying in art if it’s authentic.”
Before today, the previous episode aired back in August 2017 during the VMAs. Ocean surprised listeners with a new song called “Provider” (accompanied by a Hello Kitty-inspired lyric video) and a freestyle over 2 Chainz’s “Rolls Royce Bitch.”
Last year, he hinted that he’s sitting on the follow-up album to Blonde. He also unveiled a new radio station for “Grand Theft Auto Online.”
Read Pitchfork’s Overtones feature “How Frank Ocean Triumphs Without Even Trying,” and check out “24 Musicians on Why They’re Voting in the 2018 Midterm Elections.”
“blonded Midterms pt. 1”:
- Frank Ocean: “U-N-I-T-Y”
- Mk.gee: “You”
- Arthur: “Sweet Memory”
- Spoon: “Who Makes Your Money”
- Gil Scott-Heron / Brian Jackson: “We Almost Lost Detroit”
- The Durutti Column: “Sketch for a Summer”
- Popcaan: “Superstar”
- Jadakiss: “We Gonna Make It”
- Valee: “Womp Womp” [ft. Jeremih]
- Rico Nasty: “Hockey”
- Don Toliver: “Issues”
- KISH!: “Benzo!”
- Retro X: “Etho” [ft. S.Boy]
- La Goony Chonga: “Tira Tira” [ft. Black Kray]
- Playboi Carti: “FlatBed Freestyle”
- Beyoncé / JAY-Z: “BLACK EFFECT”
- Cam’ron: “Losin’ Weight” [ft. Prodigy]
- The Honeydrippers: “Impeach the President”
“blonded Midterms pt. 2”:
- Noname: “Window” [ft. Phoelix]
- Alfa Mist: “Resolve”
- HIRA: “Red Light Drive”
- Fine Quality: “Aah Dance” [ft. Cuz]
- JPEGMAGIA: “DD Form 214”
- Tierra Whack: “Hookers”
- 03 Greedo: “Never Bend”
- Paul & Linda McCartney: “Dear Boy”
- The Spirit of the Beehive: “Fell Asleep With a Vision”
- Trust Fund: “A Song”
- Life Without Buildings: “The Leanover”
- Duval Timothy: “Ball”
- Rex Orange County: “Sycamore Girl”
- George Michael: “Kissing a Fool”
“blonded Midterms pt. 3”:
- Wagon Christ: “Saddic Gladdic”
- T.I.: “I Swear”
- Quelle Chris & Jean Grae: “My Contribution to This Scam”
- Africa Hitech: “Out in the Streets”
- Augustus Pablo: “Peace and Love Dub”
- Lou Reed: “Last Great American Whale”
- Creedence Clearwater Revival: “Effigy”
- James Brown: “Hell”
- Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings: “This Land Is Your Land”
- Ahmad Jamal Trio: “I Love Music”
- The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band: “Comment (If All Men Are Truly Brothers)”
- Bill Evans: “Peace Piece”
- YG: “FDT” [ft. Nipsey Hussle]
This article was originally published on Tuesday, November 6 at 8:49 a.m. Eastern. It was last updated on November 6 at 10:04 p.m. Eastern.
