Singer Frank Ocean made his TV debut performing his song “Bad Religion” from his new album Channel Orange on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on Monday night.
Less than a week after announcing on his website that his first love was a man when he was 19, the New Orleans-native performed a song that reflects on his struggle with his sexuality.
Many artists have publicly supported Ocean since he made the announcement. Band mate Tyler the Creator was in full support of Ocean, posting on Twitter that he is proud of his friend for having the courage to come out.
Rapper Trina also supported Ocean saying, “He’s extremely talented and that’s what matters.”
A slow and steady song, “Bad Religion” lyrically divulges the singer’s struggle with the unrequited love of another man.
“I could never make him love me/Never make him love me” are two lines from the chorus expressing his struggle.
A string orchestra section, The Roots’ drummer Questlove and a keyboardist accompanied Ocean’s performance as he sang almost to himself, occasionally looking up to acknowledge the audience.
With Ocean center stage, the orchestra played a heart-tugging ending before Ocean finally looked up and smiles at the audience.
Channel Orange was released on iTunes a week early Monday night after the performance and immediately rose to the number one album.
It seems Ocean’s career will not be negatively affected by his announcement last week.
