Blonded Radio

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Not to be confused with Blonde (Frank Ocean album).

blonded RADIO
Home stationBeats 1
Hosted byFrank Ocean
Vegyn
Roof Access[1]
Original releaseFebruary 24, 2017 (2017-02-24)
No. of episodes16

Blonded Radio (stylized as blonded RADIO) is Frank Ocean's Apple Music 1 radio show that originally lasted from February to August 2017, with four additional special episodes that aired in November and December 2018, four more episodes from October to December 2019, and another episode in December 2021. The show is hosted by Ocean, Vegyn, and Roof Access and usually airs a new single from Ocean each episode. A fictional radio station based on the show, titled "Blonded Los Santos 97.8", was added to the video game Grand Theft Auto V in December 2017.

History[edit]

Original run (2017)[edit]

Episode 001, aired on February 24, 2017. The episode showcased the collaborative song "Slide" by record producer Calvin Harris featuring Ocean and rappers Quavo and Offset from the American hip hop group Migos. The episode also included an interview with Jay-Z talking about the current state of radio and the music industry.[2] Episode 002 aired on March 10, 2017, with the single "Chanel", a song about Ocean's bisexuality.[3] The episode ended with repeats of "Chanel", sometimes featuring a verse from rapper ASAP Rocky.[4]

Episode 003 aired on April 8, 2017. The episode ended by playing a new single titled "Biking", featuring rappers Jay-Z and fellow Odd Future member Tyler, the Creator[5] who have both previously collaborated with Ocean.[6][7] He previously streamed a trailer[8] for the song on his website, featuring a different instrumental.

Episode 004 aired on April 23, 2017. The episode featured "Lens", which included an alternative version featuring rapper Travis Scott.[9] The next morning, Episode 005 aired with a Young Thug remix of the song "Slide On Me" from Ocean's 2016 video album Endless.[10][11]

Episode 006 aired on May 15, 2017. The episode aired with the first single from ASAP Mob's then-upcoming album Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy. RAF features vocals from ASAP Rocky, Quavo, Lil Uzi Vert, two different rap verses from Ocean, and additional vocals from Playboi Carti. A solo version of "Biking" with no featured artists and a new third verse was also aired.[12][13] After a summer hiatus due to Ocean performing at music festivals,[14] Episode 007 aired on August 27, 2017, with the single "Provider".[15]

Hiatus and specials (2017-2019)[edit]

On December 12, 2017, a fictionalized version of the show was launched in Grand Theft Auto V and its online counterpart Grand Theft Auto Online, as an in-game radio station called blonded Los Santos 97.8 FM, as part of a content update.[16]

On November 6, 2018, three midterm specials were aired throughout the day, in collation with the midterm elections that were held in the United States,[17] as well as the release of new merchandise given to those with proof of voting for free in Houston, Atlanta, Miami, and Dallas.[18] On December 25, 2018, Ocean premiered "blonded Xmas", a curated Christmas music playlist.[19] None of these episodes featured any new music.[20][21][22][23]

A Blonded Radio poster was put up on sale on February 24, 2019, with a message reading:[24]

Thanks to all the heads who tuned in to our show. Blonded is about the friendship between feelings, noise, and conversation. Don't hold your breath for anything in life and live it for you. Feel the world round you and see it with more than your eyeballs. If you can't see anymore than that right now, keep sending out a positive charge everywhere loud and wide as possible, and so will we. Love you.

Return to air and PrEP+ (2019)[edit]

On October 19, 2019, Ocean hosted his first PrEP+ party. It was described as an “homage to what could have been of the 1980s' NYC club scene if the [HIV-preventing] drug PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis)... had been invented in that era.” The poster for the event featured the words “Blonded Radio”.[25] During the party, two remixes were played for unreleased songs by Ocean: Dear April (Justice Remix) and Cayendo (Sango Remix).[26] New merchandise was made available on the blonded.co website following the event,[27] as well as a listing for both songs on vinyl.[28] Highlights from the event were aired on blonded 008 the same day, including the new song “DHL”, which released soon after the event.[29]

On October 24, 2019, the second PrEP+ party was held, which featured Ocean's remix of fellow artist SZA's song “The Weekend”. All four of the DJs at the event (Leeon, Arca, Papi Juice and Shyboi) were queer.[30] The song was never featured on blonded Radio.[31]

On October 31, 2019, the third party took place. It was themed around Halloween.[32] The party also featured an unreleased collaboration with British rapper Skepta, called “Little Demon (Arca Remix)”. The song aired during blonded 009, on November 3, 2019, alongside “In My Room”.[33]

On November 9, 2019, Episode 010 aired, and became the first ever episode to feature no new music.[34]

On December 24, 2021, a new Christmas special episode of Blonded Radio aired, titled "blonded Xmas".[35]

List of episodes[edit]

2017[edit]

No. Episode title Air date
001"blonded 001"February 24, 2017 (2017-02-24)[2]

This episode premieres Scottish musician Calvin Harris' single "Slide", featuring Ocean and American hip-hop group Migos. In two interludes, Ocean interviews American rapper Jay-Z about the state of radio and the music industry.[2]

Full track list:[36]
002"blonded 002"March 10, 2017 (2017-03-10)[4]

Ocean premieres his single, "Chanel". As "Chanel" is repeatedly played during the end of the episode, an alternate verse from American rapper ASAP Rocky is occasionally aired.[4]

Full track list:[37]
003"blonded 003"April 8, 2017 (2017-04-08)[39]

The single "Biking" premieres, an Ocean song featuring frequent collaborators Jay-Z and Tyler, the Creator.[39]

Full track list:[40]
004"blonded 004"April 23, 2017 (2017-04-23)[42]

Show hosts Roof Access and Vegyn end the episode by playing new Frank Ocean song "Lens" on loop for an hour, alternatively featuring a guest verse from American rapper Travis Scott.[41]

Full track list:[9]
005"blonded 005"April 24, 2017 (2017-04-24)[43]
Just 24 hours after "blonded 004" aired,[43] blonded Radio returns with "blonded 005", featuring a new remix of Ocean's Endless track "Slide On Me", featuring American rapper Young Thug.[11]
Full track list:[11]
006"blonded 006"May 15, 2017 (2017-05-15)[46]
ASAP Mob's "RAF" is premiered, featuring a guest verse from Ocean, as is a solo version of "Biking".[44]
Full track list:[45]
007"blonded 007"August 27, 2017 (2017-08-27)[48]
Ocean celebrates the one year anniversary of Blonde[47] and debuts new single, "Provider".[48]
Full track list:[48]

2018[edit]

Episode Air date
“blonded Midterms pt. 1”November 6, 2018 (2018-11-06)[17]

The first in a three-part same-day special to commemorate the 2018 midterm elections.[50] Aired in the morning.[17]

Full track list:[51]
“blonded Midterms pt. 2”November 6, 2018 (2018-11-06)[17]
The second part of the special, aired at roughly 6pm local time.[17]
Full track list:[52]
“blonded Midterms pt. 3”November 6, 2018 (2018-11-06)[17]
The final part of the special, airing at 9pm when most of the polls had closed.[53] It was described by Ocean as "a luxury episode" on-air while the results were being announced.[17]
Full track list:[54]
“blonded Xmas”December 25, 2018 (2018-12-25)[55]
A Christmas special of blonded Radio.[55]
Full track list:[55]

2019[edit]

No. Episode title Air date
008"blonded 008"October 19, 2019 (2019-10-19)[56]
Days after his first PrEP+ queer club night, Ocean premieres the track "DHL", along with select mixes from Justice and Sango.[56]
Full track list:[56]
009"blonded 009"November 3, 2019 (2019-11-03)[33]
This episode follows the release of the track "In My Room" and features the Arca remix of "Little Demon" featuring Skepta, which was premiered during PrEP+.[33]
Full track list:[33]
010"blonded 010"November 9, 2019 (2019-11-09)[57]
Frank Ocean returns to Blonded Radio. No new music.[57]
Full track list:[57]
-"blonded Xmas"December 24, 2019 (2019-12-24)[35]

A second Christmas episode of blonded Radio.[35]

Full track list:[35]

2021[edit]

No. Episode title Air date
-"Blonded Xmas"December 25, 2021 (2021-12-25)[58]
The Christmas special features an excerpt from Frank’s conversation with motivational speaker and extreme athlete Wim “Iceman” Hof, alongside a new and currently unreleased song.[58][59]

2022[edit]

No. Episode title Air date
-"blonded Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"July 10, 2022 (2022-07-10)
On LSD, with Dr. James Fadiman.
-"blonded ENERGY!"July 10, 2022 (2022-07-10)
On Qi Gong with Master Mingtong Gu.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Olivia Criaghead (April 8, 2017). "Here's Everything That Happened On Episode 3 Of Frank Ocean's Blonded Radio". The Fader. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Listen Back to Frank Ocean's Brilliant 'blonded' Radio Show in Full". Noisey. February 24, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  3. ^ Austin Williams (March 20, 2017). "Frank Ocean's 'Chanel' is the most important song in the world right now". Andscape. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Shawn Setaro (March 10, 2017). "Listen to Episode 2 of Frank Ocean's Beats 1 Show". Complex. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  5. ^ "Frank Ocean Drops New Song With Jay Z & Tyler, The Creator". www.out.com. April 10, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  6. ^ "Tyler, The Creator Plays Lovesick Stalker in 'She' Video". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  7. ^ "Jay-Z Creatively Puts Frank Ocean on a Song Called 'Oceans'". Spin. June 26, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  8. ^ Charlotte Gush (April 10, 2017). "watch frank ocean's new trailer, featuring a new track with jay z and tyler, the creator". i-D. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "Listen To Episode 4 Of Frank Ocean's Blonded Radio". The FADER. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  10. ^ "blonded 005". blonded.blog. April 24, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  11. ^ a b c "Frank Ocean drops "Slide on Me" remix featuring Young Thug -- listen". Consequence of Sound. April 24, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  12. ^ O'Neill, Lauren (May 15, 2017). "Wrap Your Ears Around Episode 006 of Frank Ocean's Blonded Radio". Vice. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  13. ^ "Stream Frank Ocean's New Song "Biking (Solo)"". Pitchfork. May 17, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  14. ^ "RA: Frank Ocean tour dates for 2017". Resident Advisor. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  15. ^ "Listen to Episode 007 of Frank Ocean's 'blondedRADIO'". Okayplayer. August 28, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  16. ^ Gaca, Anna (December 12, 2017). "Frank Ocean Now Has a Grand Theft Auto Radio Station". Spin.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g Braudie Blais-Billie and Michelle Kim (November 6, 2018). "Listen to Frank Ocean's 3 New "blonded RADIO" Midterm Episodes". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  18. ^ Noah Yoo (November 6, 2018). "Frank Ocean Giving Away Free Merch to Voters". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  19. ^ Braudie Blais-Billie (December 25, 2018). "Listen to Frank Ocean's New Christmas Episode of "blonded RADIO"". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  20. ^ "blonded Midterms pt. I". blonded.blog. November 6, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  21. ^ "blonded Midterms pt. II". blonded.blog. November 6, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  22. ^ "blonded Midterms pt. III". blonded.blog. November 6, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  23. ^ "blonded Xmas". blonded.blog. December 25, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  24. ^ Madison Bloom (February 25, 2019). "Frank Ocean Reissues Boys Don't Cry Magazine". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  25. ^ "Frank Ocean is putting on a queer party in New York tonight". Resident Advisor. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  26. ^ Sunkel, Cameron (October 19, 2019). "Justice Debuts Remix of Forthcoming Frank Ocean Single". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  27. ^ "Listen to Frank Ocean preview new tracks "Dear April" and "Cayendo"". The FADER. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  28. ^ "Frank Ocean Previews New Songs "Dear April" and "Cayendo": Listen". Pitchfork. October 19, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  29. ^ Dazed (October 20, 2019). "Frank Ocean drops a new song, 'DHL'". Dazed. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  30. ^ "Frank Ocean's PrEP+ Club Night Returning With All-Queer Lineup". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  31. ^ "blonded 009". blonded.blog. November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  32. ^ "Frank Ocean hosts Halloween PrEP+ party with Arca, Joey LaBeija". Resident Advisor. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  33. ^ a b c d "Frank Ocean Shares New Arca Remix on Latest "blonded RADIO" Episode: Listen". Pitchfork. November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  34. ^ "Frank Ocean Drops 10th Episode of "blonded RADIO": Listen". Pitchfork. November 10, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  35. ^ a b c d "Listen to Frank Ocean's "blonded Xmas" Radio Show". Pitchfork. December 24, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  36. ^ "Archive". blonded.blog. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  37. ^ Olivia Craighead (March 10, 2017). "Here Are All The Songs That Played On The Second Episode Of Frank Ocean's Beats 1 Show". The Fader. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  38. ^ C. Vernon Coleman II (March 11, 2017). "Frank Ocean Drops New Song "Chanel" and a Remix Featuring ASAP Rocky". XXL. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  39. ^ a b Daniel Kreps (April 8, 2017). "Hear Frank Ocean's 'Biking' With Jay Z, Tyler, The Creator". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  40. ^ "Frank Ocean @ blonded RADIO 003 2017-04-07". 1001Tracklists. August 3, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  41. ^ "blonded 004". blonded.blog. April 22, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  42. ^ "FRANK OCEAN RELEASES 'BLONDED 004' FEATURING NEW TRACK 'LENS'". Pressparty. April 23, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  43. ^ a b Sam Moore (April 24, 2017). "Listen to the latest surprise episode of Frank Ocean's 'blonded RADIO'". NME. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  44. ^ Sam Moore (May 15, 2017). "Six big things we learnt from Frank ocean's surprise 'Blonded' appearance". NME. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  45. ^ Bianca Gardwood (May 15, 2017). "The Low Down: 'blonded RADIO' EP. 006 x Frank Ocean". JetMag. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  46. ^ Lauren O'Neill (May 15, 2017). "Wrap Your Ears Around Episode 006 of Frank Ocean's Blonded Radio". VICE. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  47. ^ "blonded 007". blonded.blog. August 27, 2017. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  48. ^ a b c Opheli Garcia Lawler (August 28, 2017). "Here's Everything That Happened On Episode 007 Of Blonded Radio". The FADER. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  49. ^ Amanda Wicks (August 28, 2017). "Listen to Frank Ocean Freestyle Over 2 Chainz's "Rolls Royce Bitch"". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  50. ^ Michael Saponara (November 6, 2018). "Listen To Every Song Frank Ocean Played During BlondedRadio's 'Midterms Pt. 1' Episode". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  51. ^ David Renshaw (November 6, 2018). "Here's everything that happened in Frank Ocean's blonded Midterms pt. 1". The FADER. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  52. ^ Wandera Hussein (November 6, 2018). "Listen to Frank Ocean's blonded Radio Midterms Pt. II". The FADER. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  53. ^ Adam Gabbatt (November 6, 2018). "What time do the polls close and when will midterms results be announced?". The Guardian. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  54. ^ Hafeezah Nazim (November 6, 2018). "Listen to Frank Ocean's blonded Radio Midterms Pt. III". The FADER. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  55. ^ a b c Kyle Hodge (December 26, 2018). "Frank Ocean's 'blonded RADIO' Christmas Episode: Listen". Highsnobiety. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  56. ^ a b c Noah Yoo (October 19, 2019). "Frank Ocean's "blonded RADIO" Returns With a New Episode: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  57. ^ a b c Torsten Igvaldsen (November 9, 2019). "Frank Ocean "blonded RADIO" 10th Episode Stream". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  58. ^ a b Madison Bloom (December 25, 2021). "Listen to Frank Ocean's New "blonded Xmas" Radio Show". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  59. ^ Sarah Kearns (December 25, 2021). "Frank Ocean Releases New Track on 'blonded Xmas' Radio Show". Hypebeast. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
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