Target Refuses to Stock Recently-Outed Singer's New CD

The hottest figure in contemporary R&B music right now is Frank Ocean, the 24-year-old songwriting phenomenon whose 2011 mixtape "Nostalgia, Ultra" put his name on the lips of the entire younger generation.

In Capitola, the hottest topic across all ages is the . 

In what some are calling blatant homophobia, it was announced this week that Target will not be carrying Ocean's debut CD "Channel Orange," despite the fact that it has huge selling potential, having been atop the iTunes albums chart since its digital release on Tuesday.

Target's refusal comes less than a week after Ocean made major headlines by going public with the story of his first love — a relationship with a man. He never calls himself gay in the letter, posted to his Tumblr account, but talks about coming to the realization that his feelings for this man were more meaningful than any he had with women before that.

While the act of celebrities publicly announcing their homosexuality has become far less taboo over the last decade (think Neil Patrick Harris, Jodie Foster, Ricky Martin), homosexuality in the hip-hop culture is hardly more advanced than it was 20 years ago. Which is why Ocean's act, and its subsequent public acceptance by major celebrities in the genre like Beyonce, Russell Simmons and Busta Rhymes is such a big deal.

So imagine the outrage when Target, a corporation already with a history of backing anti-gay movements, announced on Thursday that it would not be carrying Ocean's "Channel Orange," which hits stores July 17.

Target insists, however, that the refusal to stock the CD and Ocean's announcement are completely unrelated. Instead, according to the Huffington Post, Target said that the decision was based on the fact that Ocean decided to release the album digitally (on iTunes) a week before its physical release (in stores). Musical releases have their greatest selling power in their first week of release. So Target is arguing that by delaying the physical release, the discount retail giant misses out on the majority of sales anyway.

But as the Huffington Post points out, Target has certainly stocked CDs with earlier digital release dates than physical release dates in the past, including Kanye West and Jay-Z's joint album "Watch the Throne," which features Ocean on two tracks. That CD, which came out in 2011, was released long before Ocean discussed his sexuality. 

In March of 2011, pop sensation and gay icon Lady Gaga ended a business deal with Target after the corporation backed Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who according to Rolling Stone "supported a Christian rock organization that advocated violence against gays and supported a proposed state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage."

Despite it's questionable history regarding equal-rights issues, Target maintains the decision on Ocean is completely unrelated. 

"The claims made about Target's decision to not carry the Frank Ocean album are absolutely false," a Target representative told Billboard. "Target supports inclusivity and diversity in every aspect of our business. Our assortment decisions are based on a number of factors, including guest demand."

Demand for "Channel Orange," however, remains unquestionable, at least this week. According to Hits Daily Double, the album is on track to debut at number one, selling 125,000 copies, all from its digital release — an incredibly impressive feat.

Target in Capitola is set to open 12 days after retailers will start stocking Ocean's album. Although the to walk the red and white aisles on 41st Avenue, none of them will be directing guests to the music section for "Channel Orange."

What do you think of Target's refusal to sell the album? Do you understand their reasoning? Do you read further into it? Are you excited to go to Target in Capitola on July 29? Tell us in the comments!