Frank Ocean’s calculated risk to release music as an independent artist has more than paid off, and it hasn’t even been two weeks since his latest album, Blonde, hit the internet and airwaves by storm. 

When he mentioned that he has two versions of the album, fans were surprised when he released Endless, wondering what happened to what was once called Boys Don’t Cry. Turns out the first project he dropped this summer fulfilled his contractual obligation to Def Jam, in turn allowing the artist to release Blonde as an independent artist.

As the album continues to get more airtime and attention, Ocean finds his bank account growing simultaneously.

As reported, since going full-on indie, Frank Ocean has made over $1 million dollars in the week following the release of Blonde. Not too shabby, eh?

Forbes has estimated that Ocean is receiving between $5 to $7.50 per album sale, whereas those signed to a major label earn between $1.50 and $2 each copy sold. While it wasn’t an easy decision to leave the label, with the artist dishing out $500,000 from his own pocket in order to make the record, Apple covered the marking expenses and long story short, everything worked out just swimmingly for all parties involved, save for perhaps Def Jam.

With artists such as Chance the Rapper and now Frank Ocean living life free of binding contractual agreements, perhaps this marks a new wave for independent artists to make an honest living without the highly coveted financial support of a major label.

Regardless of what the future holds, Ocean is a richer man due to his creativity and wise business tactics, with fans remaining hopeful for even more new music as time goes on.