Frank Ocean is infamously press-shy, but he recently emerged for a trippy photo shoot and a revealing but brief interview in the latest issue of L'Uomo Vogue, the Italian men's branch of the iconic fashion magazine.
The 24-year-old up-and-coming crooner, whom the magazine dubbed the "best R&B lyricist since Prince," was photographed for L'Uomo by Nabil Elderkin, director of Frank’s “Swim Good” video.
In the article, Frank says he avoids calling his music R&B—not exactly surprising considering the genre-bending tendencies of his acclaimed debut mixtape, Nostalgia, Ultra. "I’ll usually cringe at the R&B label," he said, "because it’s like calling it urban…and what the f--k is urban music?"

Ocean also spoke about politics, praising Occupy Wall Street and criticizing young people's lack of unity. "My generation just doesn’t have the best taste in leadership. And weak leadership means little to no cohesion. If there’s no cohesion, there’s no real chance for effective protest or politics. Obviously, looking at Occupy Wall Street, there are a few in our bunch who still give a damn enough to rally and shout," he said, adding sarcastically, "This will change once I’m elected President."
Frank also spoke briefly about several other topics:
On his 2011: "Career-wise, this year feels like a montage scene in a movie."
On his bizarro videos: "[They're] dirt cheap little opportunities to do the random s--t I have in my mind."
On legally changing his name from Christopher “Lonny” Breaux to Frank Ocean on his 23rd birthday: "It was like a middle finger to my slave name."

The most empowering thing he did this past year: "Buying a car in cash and getting rid of the ol’ car note."
His Halloween costume this past year: "Luke Wilson’s head-band wearing tennis playing character from The Royal Tenenbaums."
To check out the full article and photo shoot, click here.
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