Frank Ocean certainly had an eventful 2012. This summer, the singer outed himself in a touching open letter about his first (male) love affair. The overwhelming response to the letter -- by both his fans and fellow artists -- was immediately positive and a revelation to see.

But Ocean's career isn't about the letter or about his sexuality, it's about his honesty in the music. Ocean's debut LP, 'channel Orange,' is a stellar collection of clever songwriting and elegant production that also shifts the paradigm of R&B in 2012. Even without real hit singles or EDM-driven, radio-friendly songs, the Odd Future affiliate shines.

Ocean discards the R&B conventions and let's his voice do all the inflection. No matter his sexual orientation, Ocean's star has risen like no other R&B artist in 2012.

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