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Frank Ocean Named to the "TIME 100" But Did He Really "Come Out"?

TIME has unveiled the Time 100, its list of the 100 "most influential" people in the world. The list is especially notable because it includes some major names writing the blurb that accompanies each of its honorees, notes EBONY.

Ten African-Americans make this year’s list, including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Michelle and Barack Obama, Frank Ocean, Valerie Jarrett, LeBron James, Shonda Rhimes, Miguel and California attorney general Kamala Harris. ... The TIME 100 features often-surprising pairings of the influentials and the guest contributors Time selects to write about them. The 10th-annual list includes Oprah Winfrey on Shonda Rhimes, Derek Jeter on LeBron James, John Legend on Frank Ocean, Maya Angelou on Michelle Obama and more.

John Legend writes the TIME article. Legend celebrates Frank Ocean's artistic vision and applauds him because "he wasn't supposed to come out." Ocean revealed in July 2012 that many of the songs on his upcoming channel ORANGE were inspired by his first love—another young man.

Frank broke a lot of rules with his album Channel Orange. He wasn’t focused on “What’s gonna be my single?” And obviously, one of the cardinal rules was that he wasn’t supposed to come out. But he did, and he did it in a way that speaks to what kind of artist he is, in a beautifully written letter to his fans. The day the letter was published, he came over to my house for a July 4 barbecue, where he was among friends who supported him and showed him love.

How fitting that he released his “declaration” on Independence Day. I think Frank’s career will be defined by his fearlessness and his artistic freedom.

John Legend is reportedly developing an HBO project caled "Down Lo" which will include the character of "a gay rapper living on the down low." The L.A. Complex much?

Frank Ocean's major-label debut channel ORANGE debuted July 10 on digital and made No. 1 on iTunes in 10 countries. The album has attracted critical reviews, international attention and much support after Ocean revealed that the songs were inspired by his first love and same sex attraction to another man. After being at the center of a media firestorm for weeks, Ocean told The Guardian that he decided to open up about his sexuality for his "own sanity."

Is Frank Ocean gay? Bisexual? There were rumors last fall and winter that Frank Ocean was dating a male model. Ocean has steadfastly refused to claim any sexual orientation or identity. Many fans and critics have called out Ocean for avoiding the question, such as Da-Doo Dirty Show's DJ Baker and Discreet City's Nicholas Delmacy.

Is he following ANY openly gay person at all? He was nominated for a GLAAD Award, guess who didn’t show up to the event?  Countless websites have put him on prestigious annual Gay lists [but] he has yet to even say “thank you” to any of them. From Out.com’s Gay Power List  to G-List Society’s 50 Most Impressionable Gays to Discreet City’s Best of 2012 Awards, Frank Ocean made all of these gay lists without even embracing the gay community, let alone saying that he is even gay at all. ...

The Gay community loves to find slim, fragile threads to indicate a man’s gay/bi sexuality just so they can lump them into their own, “see we’re everywhere, here's our new mascot” agenda. I'm not saying we shouldn't support Frank Ocean. Let's just be clear why we're supporting him, because it ain't because he's gay. When specifically asked by GQ Magazine if he was at least Bisexual, Frank Ocean [refused] to answer.

The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Miguel is also named to the TIME 100. Miguel covers the May 2013 VIBE and says that Frank Ocean's game-changing revelation last summer about his sexuality has  "overshadowed" his music.

The TIME 100 are profiled in the April 29 2013 issue which went on sale last Friday. Look at all seven covers HERE.

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"Frank Ocean’s Sexuality Overshadowed His Music"
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Game Changer: Frank Ocean's Coming Out [EBONY]
R&B Singer Frank Ocean Comes Out

REPORT: HBO and John Legend to Develop "Down Low" Rapper Drama

Yaasss. Now that The L.A. Complex has gone into the digital sunset  ...

HBO, R20 fave and singer-songwriter deluxe John Legend and producer-director Tony Krantz are developing a new project featuring a "down low" gay rapper, reports Deadline.

Down Lo [is] set in Miami’s South Beach. [T]he edgy ensemble drama explores the intersection of three worlds — the party town’s popular music scene, sports and fashion circles. It deals with fame and secrets, with the stories told from multiple points of view. One of them will be that of a gay rapper living on the down low as homosexuality is still not readily accepted in the hip-hop community.

This could be a winner. The nine-times Grammy Award-winning Legend  is ridiculously talented, super stylish and also a fierce progressive and vocal LGBT ally. Krantz was the executive producer of 24 during its height in the early 2000s. Most people would go the cheap and messy route—but I don't see it happening with this team.

Hopefully the producers will cast a working "actor" in the "down low"  role as opposed to a rap star. The hyper-masculine and often homophobic code of hip-hop and rap apparently excludes "playing" gay or "down low" rappers on television.

Thanks RYAN CANTY!

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Sexy "Down Low" Hip-Hop Storyline on Canadian TV

A$AP Rocky: People Call Me Gay, I Don't Care
Miguel": "Ocean’s Sexuality Overshadowed Music"
Game Changer: Frank Ocean's Coming Out [EBONY]
Daddy Yankee Denies Gay Rumors
Lil B Releases HIV Awareness Song "I Got AIDS"

Kanye West Angry at Gay Rumors
Kanye: "I'm Secure in My Manhood"
Kanye on Gay Bashing
Kanye: "My Own Homophobia"
"The Advocate" Names Common "Coolest Straight People"
Hip Hop Teen Idol Lil Romeo:"Gay is Okay"
Busta: Gays Better Not "Touch It"
Ja Rule: MTV "Promoting Homosexuality"
Busta's Homophobic VIBE

LISTEN: Estelle's "Fall in Love"

Last month when we interviewed Estelle, she mentioned that the next single from her upcoming album All of Me would be "Fall In Love." The mid-tempo track just debuted and the hook channels  "American Boy".

in other Estelle news: This week the singer has been tweeting from Russia, where she performed. Listen to the new track, as well as versions featuring John Legend and Nas, AFTER THE JUMP ...

Estelle: The Rod 2.0 Interview

Estelle has become the template for transatlantic music success. In 2004, the West London-born singer-songwriter burst onto the British R&B scene with "1980" and "Free" from her debut album The 18th Day. After winning the MOBO for "Best Newcomer" and a number of other awards, Estelle gradually managed to slightly repackage her distinctive sound for American audiences. Signed to John Legend's HomeSchool, produced by Will.i.am and featuring a guest vocal by Kanye West, Estelle's 2008 US breakthrough hit "American Boy" earned her a Grammy Award. Quite impressive.

Now based in America, Estelle is getting her freak on with the David Guetta-produced "Freak"—the video is fierce and Estelle gives a special shout-out to Rod 2.0—the first single from her forthcoming album All of Me. "We're looking at a late August or early September release," Estelle tells Rod 2.0. "And another single or two as well."

So the same wholesome London girl who sweetly sung about American boys is now singing ...  "Kiss him, slap him, pull his hair"? We discussed this, as well as Estelle's new video, ballroom voguing and "the kids" over an extended phone call last Friday. At times it was a little difficult to follow because of her accent—which is very lovely—but she was a doll.

ROD 2.0: Love, love, love "Freak. " But why do you want to slap the man? Was this Tiger Woods you were singing about?

ESTELLE:  No, no. (LAUGHS) This was just a different part of me. I want to do an album that is a little schizophrenic ... sweet, sad, upbeat, freaky. All the different parts of me. I wanted to do an album with my different personalities, all 20 of them. I think everybody has it in them or at least the potential. People are either surprised by it, they love it or they don't get it.

R20: The video is high concept—the space suit, voguing and runway. How many wardrobe changes did you have?

ESTELLE: Wow .. at least four or five. My back was in pain from all the outfits and the bubble suit ... it was sooo heavy. And the director had me leaning against that guy for so long. I was standing there so long, I was about to freak him. (LAUGHS)

R20: You should have, he was hot. (LAUGHS) That necklace you were wearing is hot. Is it Paloma Picaso?

ESTELLE: You noticed? Wow, thanks. The necklace is actually a collaboration of mine with designer Rachel Roy, we have a new jewelry line.

R20: Good luck with that. The jewelry, outfits and Naomi Campbell walk was fierce.  You were giving us the Latex Ball in New York Part 2.

ESTELLE: Ohmygod, I never had so much fun. I've been here for three years and always wanted to attend the balls. So many of my friends are gay and hang at the balls and I finally went. So much fun. Those kids are so talented and creative—they taught me to walk. Absolutely! I never had so much fun. Some of those kids were dipping and dropping so hard, pure fun. I love the balls.

Estelle talks her new CD, gay audiences stateside vs London plus watch the new "Freak" video AFTER THE JUMP ....

WATCH: R&B Sensation Estelle Shouts Out Rod 2.0 in "Freak"

Fab British R&b sensation Estelle gives a shout-out to Rod 2.0 at the top of her new video for "Freak." The video for the house inspired, David Guetta-produced track is all kinds of hawt: Spaced out voguers channel Malcolm McLaren's "Deep in Vogue". A sample from Soul II Soul's "Back to Life". Canadian rapper Kardinall Offishall. And a fierce Naomi Campbell walk that the her fans in the ballroom would live for.

In related news: The Independent reports the Grammy Awards-winning Estelle has become one of the coveted few British RnB artists to gain that most "coveted" prize: Success in the States. "Without turning into a wholly US-sounding diva, she has managed to repackage her sound for a transatlantic audience, with help from soul star John Legend."

Watch it WHEN YOU JUMP ....

John Legend Shirtless on South Beach, Debuts New Summer Body

Rod 2.0 fave John Legend channels Mario Lopez and Ezra Masters to debut his new summer body. John was captured by the paparazzi while walking his adorable bulldog in Miami Beach near the South Beach Gallery. The uber-stylish singer is usually seen in Tom Ford and Gucci suits and jackets, so, it's a very nice surprise. All that time "in the gym" is paying off.

AFTER THE JUMP, more shirtless John Legend.

Lloyd Boston Talks to Rod 2.0 About His New Show "Closet Cases"

Stylist extraordinaire Lloyd Boston has offered fashion advice for the past decade to millions through his books such as Men of Color and Before You Put That On, as well as numerous television appearances on shows such as Oprah, Today and The View. Boston finally lands his own television style show Closet Cases which premieres tonight 10/9c on Fine Living Network. Lloyd Boston took a few minutes to speak with Rod 2.0 about his brand new series, which he describes as "a refreshing oasis on style television."

What's taken so long? I'm surprised you didn't have your own show years ago.
Good question. I've had a slower rise for getting my own show than other stylists because my philosophy is different. I'm showing women and men what they are doing right and showing them where they can improve. So many of the other style guys have gotten there faster by pointing out the negative. I want people to feel good about themselves. Not like they are being judged.

Let's talk about the title "Closet Cases" ...
At first I was like, "Yikes!" This would be the show to come my way! But I have always been very clear and direct about who I am, personally, and my life. So I thought it would be great to have some fun with the double entendre since it's a double makeover show. I get an opportunity to give a person a great look and also to make some changes with their living space.

Describe the show. What will we experience tonight?
Closet Cases is easy-going. It's for women and men who love fashion and style television but do not want to feel like they are being beat up. I'm not going to stand over your closet and ridicule. The show will be a refreshing oasis on style television. My goal is to be your new BFF: Best Friend in Fashion. I'm taking you to Fashion Week with me, we're going shopping, editing your own closets ... without making you feel bad.

Black gay men and fashion. Discuss.
I love the fact that black gay style has not been homogenized. There is still inventiveness. If you look closely you can see where feminine meets the masculine in details. It would be easy for many black gay men to "hide" under baggy hip hop clothes but many do it with a little feminine twist. Rod, and this is something you have talked about on your blog—Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, John Legend, all of these huge names are clearly influenced by the black gay community in terms of style and aesthetic. Black gay men should be applauded for their contributions. It's not easy to wear that badge in a community that may be hostile.

Closet Cases premieres tonight 10/9c on FLN.

Openly Gay Bishop to Deliver Inaugural Concert Invocation

Very promising news. The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, the openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church in New Hampshire whose elevation created a schism in the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion, will deliver the invocation at the inauguration concert for President-elect Barack Obama this Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial. The concert will be the first event attended by Obama that weekend.

Bishop Robinson was an early supporter of the president-elect, and, like many progressives, expressed his disappointment at Obama’s choice of Rev. Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the inauguration. Robinson said the right-wing anti-gay, anti-choice and anti-science televangelist deserved "to be at the table" but not in such a prominent capacity.

Politico's Mike Allen quotes an "Obama source" who says "Robinson was in the plans before the complaints about Rick Warren. Many skeptics will read this as a direct reaction to the Warren criticism – but it’s just not so."

Sure. That's why they were willing to give their name and stand by that remark.

The concert is certainly not as grand nor important as the inauguration, but, it is the official kick-off of the festivities. More importantly the location is rich is symbolism. Robinson will deliver his invocation at the same location where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the historic "I Have a Dream."

UPDATE: The concert talent has been announced and will include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Heather Headley, John Legend, Usher Raymond ... and Queen Latifah. Possibly there are questions Usher and Latifah may have for the openly gay bishop.

Gay Bishop to Open Inaugural Weekend [Politico]

John Legend in "L'Uomo Vogue"

Über-stylish Rod 2.0 fave John Legend takes a break from snapping pictures with blatino gay porn stars to pose for this four-page editorial in the special Africa issue of L'Uomo Vogue. The singer-songwriter is looking tres fabulous in the editorial lensed by fashion and music photographer Nabil. The photographer also shot editorials in the same issue of Quincy Jones, Wyclef Jean, Placido Domingo and others. Here are a few scans.

The leather jacket below is just sick. It's Gucci. The suit is Tom Ford.

 

 

In October 2006 the singer was featured in an editorial in GQ. John Legend was also seen more recently striking a pose with one of the "top" attractions in blatino gay porn. 

Oh and while we're talking sexy men and fashion, something much more affordable than Gucci ...

You May Enjoy ...

John Legend Poses with "Top" Gay Porn Star Breion Diamond [R20]
John Legend in GQ [R20]
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A "Very Close" Relationship? [R20]
What Becomes a Legend? [R20]

John Legend Poses with "Top" Gay Porn Star Breion Diamond

This is one way to squash those pesky rumors.

First it was Omarion and XXX star Brian Pumper. Now, John Legend strikes a pose with lean n' sexy Breion Diamond, the reigning "top" attraction in thug porn (nsfw). It's a good thing the very stylish and very open-minded singer is "adamant that he is not angry about the speculation over his sexuality."

Give me the green light ... we can go all night.