Rapper Frank Ocean has been forced to cancel a tour of Australia after suffering a vocal chord tear. The Channel Orange rapper’s doctors suggested that he not perform next week while he recovers.
Billboard reports that Ocean performed at the Festival Hall in Melbourne Thursday night, but was off-key throughout the night. After he performed “Forrest Gump,” he told the audience, “I’m sick… I don’t know if you care.” Local reports say that he did not perform an encore, closing the show by saying, “I don’t wanna speak much tonight but I do wanna thank you guys.” Then, the house lights came up.
Shortly after that performance, concert promoter Live Nation issued a statement, reports Rolling Stone, confirming that Ocean had to seek medical advice.
“After last night's concert... it was necessary to seek medical advice due to vocal issues Frank Ocean experienced during the show,” the statement reads. “It has subsequently been confirmed that Frank has suffered a small tear to one of his vocal cords and has received medical advice that he must rest his voice.”
Ocean’s shows in Australia sold out in minutes and he only had a few shows scheduled through next week. He was set to perform in Melbourne again Friday night and then at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on Monday and Tuesday. He had also scheduled an appearance at the Splendour music festival.
Ocean won two Grammys, including one for Best Urban Contemporary Album for Channel Orange. He was also nominated for Album of the Year and Best New Artist.
image: NBC