Posted by Katherine St Asaph on 07/05/2012 at 9:08 AM News

The Popdust Files: frank ocean, russell simmons, sexuality

Russell Simmons, Def Jam’s founder, obviously has a long hip-hop history and lately, what’s starting to become a history of generally being correct. After Frank Ocean–whose second album and first official release, Channel Orange, will be released on Def Jam–posted on his website yesterday about falling in love with a man for years, something mostly unprecedented from a major R&B artist to date, Simmons posted on Global Grind that “[his] courage… just changed the game.”

Here’s the crux of Simmons’ post:

These types of secrets should not matter anymore, but we know they do, and because of that I decided to write this short statement of support for one of the greatest new artists we have.

His gifts are undeniable. His talent, enormous. His bravery, incredible. His actions this morning will uplift our consciousness and allow us to become better people. Every single one of us is born with peace and tranquility in our heart. Frank just found his.

This is almost exactly the sentiment in Ocean’s original post; it’s remarkable how many and how uniformly supportive the responses to Ocean’s post are. (Here’s another good one, by dream hampton, posted on Life and Times.) If you really want to be heartened, though, look at the comments. For once, they’re not depressing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyCglfjMOa0