Expectations were high for Frank Ocean‘s debut performance at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards Thursday night (Sep. 6). And the breakout R&B star exceeded those expectations with an intimate and beautifully art-directed performance of his Channel Orange lead-off track, “Thinkin’ Bout You”. Behind tall grass and before a starry, moonlit backdrop, Ocean pivoted into his falsetto for the song’s heartsick lyrics as a guitarist offered the simplest accompaniment in shadow. The performance brought the VMA audience to their feet, and critics and fans shortly followed, flooding social networks with kudos.
Todd Martens of the Los Angeles Times anointed Ocean’s stripped-bare campfire confessional a “stunner”, saying: “as the closeups were all on Ocean, and as he shifted from graceful singing to wavering falsetto, it was never less than riveting.”
Jump below to see how the music industry celebrated Frank Ocean’s stunning MTV Video Music Awards performance, including a raving review from Rita Ora.
As “Frank Ocean” began to trend on Twitter, fellow artists — including Lady Gaga — added their own positive reviews to the conversation.
watch frank ocean steal this whole show. I’m dead
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) September 7, 2012
Just when 2chains, pink, riri & Katy had me melting. Frank ocean killed it. Thinkin about you is on repeat. Beautiful. Orale!
— dev (@DEVisHot) September 7, 2012
I need a blunt and go home listen to my @frank_ocean and @miauniverse albums! #VMA
— BABY♥KREAY (@KREAYSHAWN) September 7, 2012
finally watching Frank Ocean’s VMA performance!! #amazing #loveyou
— Rebecca Black (@MsRebeccaBlack) September 7, 2012
All jokes aside @frankocean is nasty live WOW. #VMA
— Sammy Adams (@SammyAdams) September 7, 2012
What did you think of Frank Ocean’s MTV Video Music Awards performance? Tell us in the comments below, or on Facebook and Twitter.
Thank you’ve been posting about this, I also want the same thing Zenerx
All I can say is WOW!!!! The performance and and the setting was so intimate and peaceful ….I could listen to him all night long’so simple and low key but breath taking!!! WOW go Frank Ocean
Last time I saw he singing I was crying so hard. I just love the song and the atmosphere. Makes people become very sensitive.
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