Frank Ocean has had an amazing run this year. Releasing a critically acclaimed album, Channel Orange, which debuted at number two on the Billboard charts, collaborating with some of the top artists in entertainment like Kanye West, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and Andre 3000, and performing at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. His feats haven’t been unnoticed and with an album that has produced gems like “Thinkin Bout You” and “Sweet Life”, Time Magazine couldn’t resist putting the R&B singer-songwriter amongst their top 10.
Ocean’s Channel Orange landed at number three on the magazine’s top10 albums of 2012 list, falling shortly behind, Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city, and Fiona Apple’s (who landed in the top spots) The Idler Wheel…
Praising the album’s unique sound, Time writer Douglas Wolk wrote, “…Channel Orange is about Ocean’s singing and narrative voice: both are supple and sly, and never quite say everything they know.”
Topping the list for songs of 2012 is the seven-time Grammy winner himself â Usher. The R&B star’s seductive “Climax” beat out the likes of some of the biggest pop records out this year including PSY’s “Gangnam Style” and Carly Rae Jepsen’s arresting pop hit “Call Me Maybe.”
And who said R&B was dying?
As 2012 comes to a close, it is time to look back at some of the best albums and songs that have come out this year. Two artists in particular—Frank Ocean and Usher—have made Time’s Top Albums and Songs of 2012 list. Both are highly praised for their work, but what makes them stand out from other musicians? This article will explore Frank Ocean’s and Usher’s works, examining why they have become two of the most talked about musicians of 2012.
The first artist on this list is R&B singer-songwriter Frank Ocean. His critically acclaimed debut album Channel Orange was released in July 2012 and has since sold over 500,000 copies worldwide. With its unique blend of soulful melodies, catchy hooks, original production, and introspective lyrics, Ocean created an album unlike anything heard before this year. Critics were quick to praise his work with many proclaiming him as one of the freshest new talents in music today.
And then there is Usher who solidified himself as one of the biggest pop stars in the world with his seventh studio album Looking 4 Myself. Featuring hit singles such as “Scream” and “Climax”, he proved once again why he is considered a modern day musical icon. The combination of contemporary beats combined with his signature vocals make each track memorable and distinct from other releases this year. It comes as no surprise that both critics and fans alike find much joy listening to every song on this project.
Overview Of The Year 2012 In Music
2012 was a memorable year for music. With new releases from both established and emerging artists, the musical landscape of the year saw an exciting variety of sounds and styles. From hip-hop to pop, rock to electronica, there were plenty of great albums that stood out from the rest.
The top album of 2012 was Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange, which received near-universal acclaim for its mix of R&B, soul, funk and rap elements. Its lead single “Thinkin Bout You” topped charts around the world, solidifying it as one of the biggest singles in recent memory.
Usher also made his presence felt with two hits: “Climax” and “Scream.” The former featured a mesmerizing blend of electronic production while the latter showcased Usher’s vocal power over some incredibly catchy melodies. Both songs easily earned their spots on lists of best tracks from 2012. Together these two artists helped make 2012 an unforgettable year for music lovers everywhere.
Critically Acclaimed Releases By Frank Ocean And Usher
As two of the year’s most successful artists, there is no denying that Frank Ocean and Usher both had a major impact on the musical landscape of 2012. Channel Orange was described as an album with “elastic, ambitious songs” by Rolling Stone magazine, while “Climax” earned praises for its combination of electronic production and R&B elements. Elsewhere, Usher also impressed listeners with his powerful vocal delivery in “Scream” which became one of his biggest hits to date.
The success of these releases speaks volumes about the artistry behind them and why they have become so iconic over time. Not only did their music reach new heights commercially but it also resonated deeply with fans around the world who found inspiration from their words and melodies. They are just some examples of why 2012 will always be remembered as a groundbreaking year for music.
It goes without saying that each artist left an indelible mark on the industry through their work this past year. As we look back at all the amazing albums and singles released during this period, it’s clear that Frank Ocean and Usher had a huge part in making it such an exciting time for music lovers everywhere.
Conclusion
It’s been an incredible year for music in 2012, and two of the biggest names to make their mark were Frank Ocean and Usher. Both artists released critically acclaimed albums that not only topped charts but also made Time Magazine’s Top Albums and Songs list. Their success proves just how powerful their respective styles are, with both ushering in a new era of R&B.
Frank Ocean took home several awards this past year, including Best New Artist at the BET Awards as well as four Grammys for his debut album Channel Orange. His unique approach to songwriting has earned him countless fans across genres around the world. Meanwhile, Usher saw similar success with Looking 4 Myself, which spawned hit singles such as “Scream” and “Climax.” The record was nominated for three Grammy awards and showed us all just how talented Usher truly is.
Overall, 2012 was a great year for music thanks to amazing releases from Frank Ocean and Usher. They have shown us all what it means to be true innovators when it comes to modern R&B music, leaving a lasting impression on all of us who listened to their work throughout the year. With so much talent between these two artists alone, we can’t wait to see what 2013 brings!