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Chanel (Frank Ocean song)

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"Chanel"
Cover artwork of "Chanel" by Frank Ocean
Single by Frank Ocean
ReleasedMarch 10, 2017 (2017-03-10)
GenreR&B
Length3:30
LabelBlonded
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Frank Ocean singles chronology
"Slide"
(2017) 		"Chanel"
(2017) 		"Biking"
(2017)
Audio
"Chanel" on YouTube

"Chanel" is a song by American singer-songwriter Frank Ocean, released as a standalone single on March 10, 2017. "Chanel" was premiered on the second episode of Ocean's Blonded Radio. A remix of the song featuring American rapper ASAP Rocky was also aired alongside the song's premiere.[2]

Background

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On the morning of March 10, 2017, it was reported that Frank Ocean was set to release his second song of 2017.[3] "Chanel" followed the release of Scottish producer Calvin Harris' "Slide" featuring Ocean and American hip-hop group Migos.

Composition

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"Chanel" is a slow piano ballad with Ocean rapping his verses and crooning the hook "I see both sides like Chanel/See on both sides like Chanel." Ocean uses the symbolism of duality to discuss sexual fluidity and masculinity. In the remix, ASAP Rocky raps about ex-girlfriend Chanel Iman.[4][5]

Reception

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Immediately upon its release, "Chanel" was praised for its lyrics about sexual fluidity and challenging heteronormative notions of masculinity. Austin Williams of The Undefeated described the song as "the coldest, gayest, and most securely masculine flex in the history of rap."[5] LGBT fans on Twitter called "Chanel" a bisexual anthem.[6] Pitchfork named the song as "Best New Track",[7] and in 2019 included it on their list of "The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s" at number 180.[8]

On March 15, 2017, French luxury brand Chanel released two ads with the captions "We see both sides like Frank Ocean", flipping the lyrics of the song. A Chanel spokesperson told The Fader through email that, "This is simply our way of acknowledging his nod to Chanel in his latest single."[9]

Charts

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Chart (2017) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] 72
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[11] 2
UK Singles (OCC)[12] 80
UK R&B (Official Charts Company) 16
US Billboard Hot 100[13] 72
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[14] 30

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[15] Gold 45,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[16] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[17] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Country Date Format Label Ref.
Worldwide 10 March 2017 Digital download Blonded [18]

References

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  1. ^ BMI Repertoire. By the search bar, select "BMI Work #" on the dropdown menu and search for 25215071.
  2. ^ Shawn Setaro (March 10, 2017). "Listen to Episode 2 of Frank Ocean's Beats 1 Show". Complex. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  3. ^ Ralph Bristout (March 10, 2017). "Frank Ocean reportedly set to drop new music on Apple Music". Revolt. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  4. ^ Carl Lamarre (March 13, 2017). "Frank Ocean Premieres 'Chanel' & A$AP Rocky Remix on 'Blonded' Radio: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Austin Williams (March 20, 2017). "Frank Ocean's 'Chanel' is the most important song in the world right now". Andscape. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  6. ^ Erin Rook (March 12, 2017). "Frank Ocean's new track 'Chanel' hailed as bisexual anthem". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  7. ^ Sheldon Pearce (March 13, 2017). ""Chanel" by Frank Ocean Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  8. ^ "The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s". Pitchfork. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  9. ^ Ben Dandridge-Lemco (March 16, 2017). "Chanel Used Frank Ocean's Lyrics For Their New Ads". The Fader. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  10. ^ "Frank Ocean Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  11. ^ "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  12. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  13. ^ "Frank Ocean Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  14. ^ "Frank Ocean Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  15. ^ "Danish single certifications – Frank Ocean – Chanel". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  16. ^ "British single certifications – Frank Ocean – Chanel". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  17. ^ "American single certifications – Frank Ocean – Chanel". Recording Industry Association of America. July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  18. ^ "Chanel – Single by Frank Ocean on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
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