Ryan Breaux, Frank Ocean’s Younger Brother Dies at 18, Friends Say

Ryan Breaux, the younger brother of singer Frank Ocean, died on August 2, 2020, according to a close friend, Charlotte Rose, who shared a tribute post on Instagram. He was 18.

Charlotte wrote, “I don’t even know what to say. Ryan u were one of the most incredible people I have ever known u gave me everything I could’ve ever wanted and I’m so grateful for all the memories we shared. I will love you always and forever.”

Cambria Aguilar also shared a tribute post on Instagram. She wrote, “Ry, I don’t think I’ll ever recover. I will love you forever. Always have and always will. I wish I answered that call the other night, I would have never hung up. I can’t imagine life without you. You impacted the world and your memory will last forever. Rest easy my angel.”

Reports are unconfirmed that Breaux and his friend Zeek were involved the a single-vehicle car crash that happened just after 1:30 a.m. local time near Westlake Boulevard and Skelton Canyon Circle in Los Angeles, California, as reported by ABC 7. According to the initial investigation, the vehicle was traveling south on Westlake Boulevard when the car left the roadway and collided with a tree in the center median.

Due to the intense force of the crash, the vehicle was ripped in half when found by Ventura County sheriff’s deputies, and engulfed in flames. Both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene by the Ventura County Fire Department. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, ABC 7 reports.

Breaux would’ve turned 19 on September 1, 2020. His mother, Katonya Breaux, wrote a birthday message to her youngest son last year on Instagram. She said, “Happy 18th Ryan! I spent hours going through photos because I know how specific you are and didn’t want you to ask me to take any down. Look at you! Brave, beautiful and kind, loving and genuine, this is the first step to adulthood kiddo, you’ve got this! We love you so much! Live your blessed life Ry!”

Neither Katonya nor Ocean have yet to publicly comment on Breaux’s death. Here’s what you need to know about Ryan Breaux:

Ocean’s Song ‘Orion’ Is Believed to Be About His Little Brother

When Katonya was asked in a 2017 interview with Billboard if she was son Frank Ocean’s No. 1 fan, she hesitated. “I would definitely.. so… well, maybe Ryan. Ryan will put those songs on repeat 50 times a day. I would definitely say Ryan, and I’m number two.”

Frank Ocean – OrionI do not own the lyrics or this song and dont mean any copyright infringement. The song is slowed down a tiny bit. I remember being immortal I thought that I was I wanted to conquer the world Before I could drive I remember when you were born Ohhh, how happy I was Cause If it didn’t go as I planned it At least you’d double my chances [Bridge] And it’s no pressure, man Cause you’re special I know you wanna get big and strong quick But don’t skip one second (Orion) [Hook] If I could buy back the years O-O-Orion I would empty my pockets here (On everything) O-Orion Make my regrets disappear O-O-Orion Boy I’m jealous of you ill admit it But promise big bro one thing That you won’t go wasting time (O) won’t go wasting time (no) that you won’t go wasting time (o) Won’t go wasting time Don’t go wasting it [Verse 2] You gotta know you hit the lotto (lotto) Cause they don’t make em like mamma no more Hug her and tell her that you love her That’s good time spent And when your outside running It’s ok to ask where you’re going So you’re never back where you started Wondering where time went [Bridge] And it’s no pressure, man Cause you’re special I know you wanna get big and strong quick But don’t skip one second (Orion) [Hook] If I could buy back the years O-O-Orion I would empty my pockets here (On everything) O-Orion Make my regrets disappear O-O-Orion Boy I’m jealous of you ill admit it But promise big bro one thing That you won’t go wasting time X2 (O) won’t go wasting time (no) that you won’t go wasting time Won’t go wasting time Don’t go wasting it2011-09-19T22:58:03Z

The love was reciprocated by Ocean. It’s widely believed the track “Orion” pays homage to the singer’s little brother. The lyrics include the following lines:

“I remember when you were born/Ohhh, how happy I was/cause If it didn’t go as I planned it/At least you’d double my chances… But promise big bro one thing, That you won’t go wasting time/ won’t go wasting time/ (no) that you won’t go wasting time/ Won’t go wasting time/Don’t go wasting it.”

Breaux Assisted His Mother In Creating Her Unsun Skincare Line

Ocean, Breaux, and their mother Katonya were incredibly close with one other. Not only did Breaux champion his brother’s career, and he was a big supporter of his mother’s Unsun skincare and sunscreen line when it first launched in April 2016.

Katonya told Billboard that it was with Breaux’s help that she was able to create the “perfect” mineral-based sunscreen for Black women. Katonya said she figured out it worked “when I put it on, and on Ryan, my little guy who’s a couple shades darker than I am. I had my family of all different complexions applying it, and it did so well.

As for what inspired Katonya to become an entrepreneur, she said that she likes to tell the kids, “If you don’t have the figure-it-out mentality, you just have to get a job. It’s one of the things my kids tease me about because I say it to them a zillion times. I like to think that I practice what I preach… Those boys take priority over everything else, but Unsun is definitely my third baby.”

Breaux’s Voice Is Featured at the End of Ocean’s Song ‘Futura Free’

Frank Ocean – Futura FreeFrank Ocean – Futura Free ℗ Boys Don’t Cry Released August 20, 20162017-06-27T21:48:05Z
At the end of Ocean’s song “Futura Free,” he included an interview by his little brother. Breaux didn’t know his voice would be on the track and when he found out, he tweeted, “MY INTERVIEW IS ON THE ALBUM OHMGMDJSHCJAJDHAHHSH I WAS LIKE 11 MY VOICE WAS SO HIGH.”

At the end of the song, Breaux is asked questions and can be heard saying in response, “I play soccer and I go to school… I wanna be better at skating… Everything that was on my bucket list, like, I don’t know, there would be a lot of things. I’ll do, probably, spend a lot of time with my family and tell them I’m going away, and probably… I don’t know. There’s a lot of things you could do.”

Tributes to Ocean & His Mother Filled Twitter Following the News of Breaux’s Sudden Death

Tributes to Ocean, whose real name is Christopher Edwin Breaux, and Katonya Breaux, filled social media following the news of Breaux’s death. Katonya opened up to Billboard about being a mother to her two boys. She said:

It’s interesting because I’m a different mom to Ryan than I was with Chris [Frank Ocean]. I was young—I was 21 when I had Chris. I would just say to treat them as humans and to understand. When we get caught up in the moment, we want them to hurry and sit up, or hurry up and talk, but the time goes by so fast so you really want to savor every moment. I know it sounds so trite, but it takes having a child and then having them become an adult to really realize how quickly it goes by. Enjoy the time with them, realize they’re people too, with thoughts, feelings, and ideas, and choose our battles—choose the battles that really impact the type of person they become and how they can contribute to the society we live in.

Breaux’s friend Myles Xavier wrote on Instagram, “Love you little brother. I know they have the warm chocolate chip cookies from the mercer where you are now (and milanos) We debated endlessly about the afterlife and I still stand by reincarnation so I hope we meet again in our next lives jacuzzimane.”

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