Although Frank Ocean is clearly the R&B man of hour, don’t expect to find his album at your nearest Target.

The big box chain as decided not to carry Ocean’s cd, despite the increased publicity:

“Frank Ocean’s album “Channel Orange” already is one of the most widely discussed and highly praised albums of the year, but don’t look to buy at a Target store when the physical CD is released next week.

 

The Minneapolis-based retail giant has announced it won’t stock the album, which has generated massive interest since the R&B singer revealed recently that some songs were inspired by a gay relationship he once had.

 

But after initially suggesting that Target’s decision may have been related to Ocean’s sexual orientation, his manager, Christian Clancy, has backed down and said Target’s decision was a response to the release of Ocean’s album a week early in digital form exclusively on iTunes.”

Read more at the LA Times.

Target’s reasoning may seem valid. After all, who buys physical cds anymore?

Still, with a history of donating funds to anti-gay organizations and politicians, can we blame Ocean’s manager for tweeting [since deleted] that this refusal to stock Channel Orange may be related to Ocean’s revelation that his first love was a man?

Is Target being (sneakily) homophobic or is this just a matter of business?

Sound off below!