Listen to Frank Ocean’s new “Blonded Xmas” radio show

Frank Ocean is back with a new episode of Blonde radio. Today’s Christmas episode is the show’s first edition since Christmas 2019. The program features an extract from Ocean’s conversation with Dutch motivational speaker and extreme athlete Wim “Iceman” Hof. Listen to “Blonded Xmas” on Apple Music 1. (Pitchfork earns a commission on purchases made through affiliate links on our site.)

“Me and @iceman_hof had a conversation awhile ago when I was in the early stages of grieving,” Frank Ocean wrote in an Instagram story (seen by Pitchfork). “I remember marveling at the way his energy exploded through the phone. So much vim in this Wim. He continued:

We talked for a while about her job, the purpose of grief, and how stepping into cold water changed her life. It reminded me of studio conversations with players I know. Freewheel, psychedelic, emotionally charged, intelligent and generous. I enjoyed listening to him, so in this montage, I just let him speak without interruption. Me, @coryhenry and @dylanpatricewiggins, played sounds below to intensify the sensation. I added some writing at the end that I did just one take of w Cory in the summer of 2020. I came back and added a few words and parts on top of that take more recently. I felt like it matched the wabi sabi of Wim’s words. Merry Christmas to everyone.

Frank Ocean’s brother, Ryan Moore (also known as Ryan Breaux) was killed in a car crash in August 2020. The artist has been relatively silent since losing his brother.

This year, Ocean launched a line of luxury jewelry and accessories called Homer. He worked on the project for over three years and opened a brick and mortar store for the brand in Manhattan last summer. Ocean is set to make the front page of Coachella 2023.

Last month, Ocean made a rare public statement in memory of the late Virgil Abloh, who died of cancer in late November.

Read “A Visit to Homer’s, Frank Ocean’s New York Luxury Store” on the Pitch.