According to the Los Angeles Times, you will not be able to buy Frank Ocean’s new album ‘Channel Orange’ at the giant retail store Target… What? What could be the reason of such a decision? This is the most talked-about album right now, probably partly because of Ocean’s recent coming out, and they are not selling it? Target is claiming that the decision was a reaction to iTunes’ one-week exclusive. The album effectively hit iTunes a full week in advance, just after Ocean's appearance in ‘Late Night With Jimmy Fallon’, and so retailers technically lost this first week sales.
An official statement from the company was released:
‘At Target, we focus on offering our guests a wide assortment of physical CDs, so our selection of new releases is dedicated to physical CDs rather than titles that are released digitally in advance of the street date.’
I said it is bullshit, is it the first time such a thing happens? Actually, no it isn’t. According to the Huffington Post Target is carrying Jay-Z and Kayne West’s 'Watch The Throne’, which has also debuted on iTunes before being released for physical sales, so it was exactly the same situation.
Of course many are speculating the reason has everything to do with Ocean’s recent confession that his first love was a man, and what else could it be? But Ocean's manager, Christian Clancy, tweeted the following and then deleted it later:
‘Target has refused to carry Frank's album because of iTunes exclusive. Interesting since they also donate to non-equal rights organizations’.
And the following statement from Target was sent to Billboard:
‘The claims made about Target's decision to not carry the Frank Ocean album are absolutely false. Target supports inclusivity and diversity in every aspect of our business. Our assortment decisions are based on a number of factors, including guest demand.
Target has a longstanding tradition of supporting music and artistry that reflects the diverse landscape of American culture. Our history of partnering with diverse artists includes recent partnerships with a variety of musicians, such as Ricky Martin, B.o.B., and Gloria Estefan.’
Yes, but it is very complicated. Target carries Elton John and Adam Lambert, but, according to the Huffington Post, the Minneapolis-based store has also supported Tom Emmer’s campaign by donating $150,000 to the group MN Forward, and the guy was clearly not supporting equal gay rights. Also Target made available some shirts to celebrate Gay Pride Week but was only selling them online, not in store,… may be because it would have been too shocking for Target customers? It is as if Target has been trying to reach its gay audience over the years while doing some halfway deal each time. It’s all about not alienating any potential customer after all.
In the story, you always have to follow the money which controls the politics of any corporation, we don’t know everything, may be influential and rich lobbies don’t want to see Frank Ocean’s album made available for families shopping at Target, may be Frank Ocean is more dangerous than,… let’s say Clay Aiken.
Whatever the reason, let's just listen to him and boycott Target: