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

The community artists this week are linked below. I'd love you to go and check them out and support if you liked the vibes:

Thanks to Frank Ocean, Little Simz, Steve Lacy, Steven Pressfield, and all the other artists featured in this one.

…

I am a passionate creator myself, and I make these videos to inspire/educate myself and others. All the footage I have sourced is used under Fair Use.

Source Material:

Frank Ocean BBC News interview - BBC Sound of 2012

Frank Ocean for MTV 2011 Interview

Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (Track By Track) - EP. 1

Steve Lacy Talks #1 Song Bad Habit , Mac Miller, Love Life, Working With Kanye West + More

13 minutes of frank ocean being just a guy, not a god

Frank Ocean - Pyramids (Official Music Video)

Frank Ocean Jets Through Airport In Wig Disguise TMZ

Little Simz - Protect My Energy Live 

frank ocean in the studio

Frank Ocean Shares Summer Remains #DimplezTV

Odd Future - Oldie

Frank Ocean - Nikes [Live at Way Out West] (10 08 17)

Frank Ocean- Novacane (Official Video HQ)

Frank Ocean— Bad Religion Live on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

FRANK OCEAN - ENDLESS VISUAL ALBUM VIDEO [2018]

[FREE FOR PROFIT] Acoustic guitar type beat - "saint" // free for profit beats guitar

[andrewgayda]

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.

[tomfordlegacy]

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.

[JG]

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.

[stephenhenry]

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 👍🏾

[BrickL]

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

[grooviestmaster]

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? 😉

[Daynejordand]

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

[alexanderlong]

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.

[radicalloner]

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.

[drinkbleech]

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.

[NiallWadeOfficial]

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 👏🏻

[Childrenoflightprod_]

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.

[coz.y]

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

[ameera.abubakr]

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.

[fullfab]

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

[etu]

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!

[rekag]

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

[soaked]

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

[fizz]

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

[nusoull]

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.