Raise your hand if you were bumping Frank Ocean last year!
Though he cultivated a dedicated flock from early on, not many could have predicted the meteoric rise of Frank Ocean. Still, even when things looked bleak, the Odd Future singer/songwriter believed in himself. Now, the Channel Orange vocalist is triumphantly taking music's biggest stage at the 2012 Video Music Awards on Thursday, September 6, and you can't help but wonder: how will the enigmatic Ocean mark the moment?
During his most recent New York show in July, Frank blew fans away with an emotive vocal performance that came on the heels of his major-label debut album's release, successful sales story and of course, the revelation that he once loved a man.
Ocean didn't always command the stage in the same way, however. In November 2011, his first NYC show was marked by a timidness and endearing charm.
Still, the vast majority of music fans haven't experienced Frank live, giving the Wolf Gang crooner a fresh playbook to draw from. His heart-shattering "Bad Religion" is a likely choice, though he performed the gut-wrenching breakup song on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" earlier this summer.
The curious will surely be tuning in to see Frank challenge pop's hetero status quo and while the boy-crazy "Forrest Gump" will no doubt satisfy the demand, it's quite possible that usually reserved Ocean isn't all the way comfortable standing as a poster boy for gay rights.
As unpredictable as OFWGKTA have been throughout their collective career, Ocean can decide to go a different route entirely and invite his Wolf Gang brethren to swag out on stage while he and Earl Sweatshirt deliver their collaborative cut "Super Rich Kids." Who can forget the camaraderie and sheer joy that the entire OF shared at the podium last year when Tyler took home the Best New Artist award at the 2011 VMAs?
One thing's for sure, whatever Frank Ocean has up his musically sound sleeve for September 6 will be one for the ages.
What do you think Frank's performance will be like? Give us your ideas in the comments below!
The 2012 MTV Video Music Awards will air live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Head to VMA.MTV.com or text BNA to 22444 (message and data rates may apply) to vote for Best New Artist all the way through the show! Get the latest VMA updates sent right to your inbox: Sign up for the MTV News alert.
