Frank Ocean First Gay Male Rapper Reveals 'Brokeback Mountain' Affair

Frank Ocean has finally addressed mounting speculation over his sexuality by revealing that his first love was a man.

The US singer and rapper has become the first male hip-hop star to open up about his sexual orientation.

He chose his Tumblr page as the platform to express himself and an intimate blog post to make the life-changing declaration.

Before posting the bold announcement, he wrote: "Hope is that the babies born these days will inherit less of the bulls**t than we did".

The 24-year-old Odd Future crooner then went on to confess the details of his first experience of love.

"Four summers ago, I met somebody," he wrote. "I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost. And on the days we were together, time would glide. Most of the day I'd see him, and his smile.

"Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realised I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping, no negotiating [with] the women I had been with, the ones I cared for and thought I was in love with.

"I sat there and told my friend how I felt. I wept as the words left my mouth. I grieved for them. Knowing I could never take them back for myself. He patted my back. He said kind things. He did his best, but he wouldn't admit the same.

"He had to go back inside soon. It was late and his girlfriend was waiting for him upstairs. He wouldn't tell the truth about his feelings for me for another 3 years. I felt like I'd only imagined reciprocity for years.

"I kept up a peculiar friendship with him because I couldn't imagine keeping up my life without him. I struggled to master myself and my emotions. I wasn't always successful."

Ocean claimed that although he had originally planned to publish the open letter on notes for his forthcoming new album, Channel Orange, he decided to go public instead to address widespread speculation.

"I don't have any secrets I need kept any more. There's probably some small s**t still, but you know what I mean. I was never alone, as much as it felt like it. As much as I still do sometimes. I never was. I don't think I ever could be. Thanks. To my first love, I'm grateful for you," he added.

He also explained that making music had given him the strength to come to terms with the real him.

"Grateful that even though it wasn't what I hoped for and even though it was never enough, it was. Some things never are. And we were. I won't forget you. I won't forget the summer. I'll remember who I was when I met you. I'll remember who you were and how we've both changed and stayed the same."

He concluded the message by thanking his mother for her support and love.

After the news broke, Ocean's fellow Odd Future member Tyler, The Creator, who has been accused of being homophobic, headed to Twitter to show his support for his colleague:

Tyler tweeted: "My Big Brother Finally F**king Did That. Proud Of That N**ga Cause I Know That S**t Is Difficult Or Whatever. Anyway. Im A Toilet."