Billy Ocean with whom he released "On The Run" backed with "Let's Put Our Emotions in Motion" in 1974. Ocean took his stage name from the Ocean Estate, Stepney in London's East End, where he was living at the time. In 1976, he recorded his first album, "Billy Ocean", with its first single release, "Love Really Hurts Without You", charting at No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 22 in the US "Billboard" Hot 100. He enjoyed club success from the songs "Are You Ready" and "Stay The Night" from the album "City Limit"—both of which were later covered by
Billy Ocean able to mix the more emotive soul style with a crossover popular style. In 2002, the University of Westminster in London awarded Ocean an honorary doctorate of music. The awards ceremony took place in the Barbican Centre, in London. He continues to tour and record in Europe. Ocean is now a patron for Tech Music Schools in London, made up of Drumtech, Vocaltech, Guitar-X and Keyboardtech. He regularly visits to hold clinics and seminars for the students. In 2004, "Caribbean Queen" was re-released as a digital single for its 20th anniversary, shooting up to No. 25 on the Billboard digital