Along with the bombshell release of Frank Ocean’s Apple exclusive Blonde comes the bombshell news that the artist is no longer signed to Universal.
It seems that his Endless visual album, released just prior to Blonde, satisfied his contractual commitment to UMG; Blonde, credited to the Boys Don’t Cry label (and distributed by Fresh Produce), is Ocean’s free and clear. Meaning he reaps 70% of the revenue from sales and streams, rather than the 20% of 70% (namely 14%) he would be entitled to on a major label.
Some looming questions, among many: How much did Apple pay/advance to Ocean for the exclusive? Given the expected windfall Ocean will realize under this arrangement, how many other superstar acts will follow suit when their contracts with the majors come up for renewal?
Meanwhile, Ocean, who's managed by Mark Gillespie at Three Six Zero (pictured) could earn up to 75m streams in his first week at Apple, and is looking at roughly 280k SPS
Oh, so that's what Endless was about? Makes sense now I guess we're never getting the full songs then, huh? I need Alabama, Slide and Rushes It is a little funny how some of his fans were claiming Endless was some advanced, experimental art project and attacked people for thinking it's messy and confusing, yet it turned out to be just a trick to get out of his contract, but oh well
But anyway, I always have a little extra respect for artists who do it on their own. Good for him!
Now that digital sales and iTunes are dying, record labels better make sure that Apple never monopolizes music consumption and revenue again. I approve of the stance UMG took today.
I guess we're never getting the full songs then, huh? I need Alabama, Slide and Rushes 
It is a little funny how some of his fans were claiming Endless was some advanced, experimental art project and attacked people for thinking it's messy and confusing, yet it turned out to be just a trick to get out of his contract, but oh well
