Lenny Kravitz

Last updated

Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Lenny Kravitz in 2013
Born
Leonard Albert Kravitz

(1964-05-26) May 26, 1964 (age 59) [1]
Other namesRomeo Blue
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • multi-instrumentalist
  • record producer
  • actor
Years active1989–present
Spouse
(m. 1987;div. 1993)
Children Zoë Kravitz
Parent(s) Roxie Roker
Sy Kravitz
Relatives
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • bass
  • drums
  • keyboards
  • piano
Labels
Website lennykravitz.com

Leonard Albert Kravitz (born May 26, 1964) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and actor.

Contents

Born in New York to TV news producer Sy Kravitz and actress Roxie Roker, Kravitz was exposed to the entertainment industry at a young age. Kravitz grew up in a musically diverse environment, without a religious upbringing. His childhood was split between Manhattan and Brooklyn, leading to his early passion for music, inspired by several genres and seeing The Jackson 5 live. Despite the challenges of being classified by record labels, Kravitz persisted with his 1989 debut album "Let Love Rule." This debut marked the beginning of a career characterized by a blend of rock, funk, reggae, hard rock, soul, and R&B.

Kravitz has had hit singles, including "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" (1991) and "Again" (2000), each of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Top 100 chart; other hits include "Let Love Rule" (1989), "Always on the Run" (1991), "Are You Gonna Go My Way" (1993), "Fly Away" (1998), and "American Woman" (1999), each of which reached the top 10 on the Alternative Airplay chart. His other albums include "Mama Said," and "Are You Gonna Go My Way."

Kravitz has won several awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, which he received four years in a row from 1999 to 2002, [5] breaking the record for most wins in that category, and setting the record for most consecutive wins in one category by a male performer. He has won other awards, including American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, Radio Music Awards, Brit Awards, and Blockbuster Entertainment Awards. Kravitz has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and was ranked 93 on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock". [6]

Aside from his music career, Kravitz has ventured into acting, with appearances in films including Precious (2009) and the first two The Hunger Games film series (2012–13). He has also set-up Kravitz Design Inc. Kravitz's personal life has been marked by his marriage to Lisa Bonet, with whom he has a daughter, and relationships with prominent figures in the entertainment industry.

Early life

Leonard Albert Kravitz was born on May 26, 1964 in New York City, [7] the only child of NBC television news producer Sy Kravitz (1924–2005) and actress Roxie Roker (1929–1995). [8] His mother came from a Christian family that was of African-American and Bahamian descent. [9] [10] [11] [12] Kravitz's father was of Russian-Jewish origin. [13] [14] [15] Through his mother, Kravitz is a second cousin of television weather presenter Al Roker [16] as their grandfathers were brothers. [17] He was named after his uncle, Leonard M. Kravitz, a private first class who was killed in action in the Korean War at the age of 20, while single-handedly holding off a Chinese attack, enabling most of his platoon to escape. [18] [lower-alpha 1]

During his early years, Kravitz did not grow up in a religious environment. [20] After a spiritual experience when he was 13, he started attending church and later became a non-denominational Christian. [20] [21] Kravitz grew up spending weekdays on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with his parents, attending P.S. 6 for elementary school, and spending weekends at his grandmother Bessie's house in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. [22]

Kravitz began banging on pots and pans in the kitchen, playing them as drums at the age of three. He decided that he wanted to be a musician at the age of five. He began playing the drums and soon added guitar. He grew up listening to the music his parents listened to: R&B, jazz, classical, opera, gospel, and blues. He said, "My parents were very supportive of the fact that I loved music early on, and they took me to a lot of shows." [23] [24] Around the age of seven, he saw the Jackson 5 perform at Madison Square Garden, and they became his favorite performers. [25] His father, who was also a jazz promoter, was friends with Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby Short, Miles Davis, and other jazz greats; Ellington even played "Happy Birthday" for him on his fifth birthday. [26] [27] [28]

In 1974, at the age of 10, Kravitz relocated to Los Angeles with his parents when his mother landed her role on The Jeffersons . [22] At his mother's urging, he joined the California Boys Choir for three years, where he performed a classical repertoire, and sang with the Metropolitan Opera. He took part in Mahler's Third Symphony at the Hollywood Bowl. [22] It was in Los Angeles that Kravitz was introduced to rock music, listening to the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Kiss, Pink Floyd, and the Who, [25] and he said he was "attracted to the cool style, the girls, the rock 'n' roll lifestyle." [25] During his junior high school years, he was also introduced to marijuana; he has stated that he was a "pothead" during his youth. [29] His other musical influences at the time included Fela Kuti, Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, Pharoah Sanders, and Miles Davis. [25] Later influences came in the form of John Lennon and Bob Marley. Kravitz attended Beverly Hills High School, where he was classmates with Maria McKee, Nicolas Cage, and Slash. He taught himself to play piano and bass and made friends with Zoro, who would later become his long-time collaborator. [30] His parents divorced in 1985. [31]

Kravitz is the honorary nephew of Diahann Carroll, whom he called Aunt D, [32] [33] [34] and actress Cicely Tyson was his godmother. [32]

Career

1985–1990: Virgin Records and career debut

With record labels still telling him his music was not "black enough" or "white enough," Kravitz decided to record an album on his own under the name Romeo Blue. [22] Kravitz had met the recording engineer, keyboardist, and bassist Henry Hirsch in 1985 when recording a demo at his Hoboken, New Jersey, recording studio. The two shared an interest in using real instruments and vintage recording equipment, as well as a love of R&B, jazz, and rock. Kravitz would go on to collaborate with Hirsch on most of his albums. Kravitz began working on his debut album with Hirsch over the next year and a half, with Kravitz's father paying for the studio time. Kravitz met saxophonist Karl Denson and invited him to play on the song "Let Love Rule." Kravitz was so impressed with his playing that Denson played on much of the album. Beginning in the late 1980s, Denson toured with Kravitz for five years. [35]

In October 1988, after completing most of the recording, Kravitz approached friend Stephen Elvis Smith, who had served as the music supervisor on Lisa Bonet's The Cosby Show spin-off A Different World . Smith had also worked with Kravitz's mother on the hit sitcom The Jeffersons . Kravitz urged Smith to manage his career and assist him in finding a record deal. In less than a month of shopping the recordings, five labels (Warner Bros, Elektra, Geffen, Capitol, and Virgin) were in a bidding war for Kravitz. Eventually, a deal was made with Virgin Records in January 1989, and signed by Virgin A&R executive Nancy Jeffries. The label was "excited" about the music he was making, music inspired by his relationship with wife Bonet and their new daughter, Zoe. On Smith's urging, Kravitz dropped the name Romeo Blue and reclaimed the Lenny Kravitz moniker. About his time as Romeo Blue, Kravitz said, "Ultimately, it got me back to myself. And when I finally did accept myself for myself, music started flowing out of me." [24]

Kravitz released his debut album Let Love Rule in 1989, a combination of rock and funk with a 1960s vibe. Music critics were mixed: some felt Kravitz was a gifted new artist, others felt he was overpowered by his musical influences. The album was a moderate success in the United States, but became an instant hit outside of the US, especially in Europe. Lisa Bonet directed the debut music video for the title track, "Let Love Rule." Stephen Smith signed Kravitz with talent booking agency CAA, who soon were fielding offers for Kravitz, first on a club tour, and then in opening slots for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan, and David Bowie. Having played essentially all of the instruments on the album, Kravitz had to quickly assemble a touring band to support the Let Love Rule release. In May 2009, a 20th anniversary deluxe edition of Let Love Rule was released worldwide by Virgin. Kravitz launched a LLR(20) tour of Europe and the United States in support of the re-release. [36] [37] [38]

1991–2001: Popularity established

Kravitz and Craig Ross during a concert Lenny Kravitz - Craig Ross - Rock in Rio Madrid 2012 - 02.jpg
Kravitz and Craig Ross during a concert

In May 1990, he performed the song "Cold Turkey" at the John Lennon Memorial concert. [39] In 1990, Kravitz produced the song "Justify My Love" for Madonna, which he co-wrote with Ingrid Chavez. [22] The song, which appeared on her greatest hits album The Immaculate Collection and created controversy because of its explicit video, went to number 1 for two consecutive weeks. Kravitz appeared as a member of Peace Choir that performed "Give Peace a Chance" in 1991 in protest of the Gulf War. [22]

Kravitz separated from Lisa Bonet in 1991, [40] amid rumors of an affair between him and Madonna. Kravitz has denied any infidelity. [40] Kravitz and Bonet divorced in 1993. Kravitz produced the self-titled album Vanessa Paradis (1991) for French singer and actress Vanessa Paradis. He played most of the instruments and co-wrote most of the songs on the album.

In 1991, Kravitz released his second album, Mama Said , [22] which was his first album to reach the Top 40. The songs on the album were about Bonet and dedicated to her, documenting his depression over their breakup. [27] The single, "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over," went to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. A second single "Always on the Run," a tribute to his mother, [27] featured Slash on guitar. "Stand by My Woman" and "What Goes Around Comes Around" followed. Sean Lennon co-wrote and played piano on the song "All I Ever Wanted." [22]

In 1993, Kravitz wrote "Line Up" for Aerosmith, and appeared on Mick Jagger's solo album, Wandering Spirit , on a cover of the Bill Withers soul classic "Use Me," and played guitar on the title track of David Bowie's The Buddha of Suburbia . That year Kravitz also worked with idols Al Green and Curtis Mayfield. In 1993, Are You Gonna Go My Way was released, reaching number 12 on the Billboard 200 and Kravitz earned a BRIT Award for best international male artist in 1994. The title track won a MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video for the video produced by Mark Romanek, in which Kravitz slung his dreadlocks and wore high-heeled platform boots. During the presentation of the MTV Video Music Awards, he performed the song with John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin on bass. Several singles from the album would follow, including "Believe," "Is There Any Love In Your Heart," and "Heaven Help/Spinning Around Over You." This album was the first to feature guitarist Craig Ross, who has also played on all his subsequent albums. [41] One song, "Eleutheria," was influenced by the island Eleuthera in The Bahamas where Kravitz built a house and recording studio. [27] In 1993, he also released the EP Spinning Around Over You, which included four live tracks from his Universal Love Tour. A feature documentary about his 1994 tour entitled Alive from Planet Earth was directed by Doug Nichol and released.

In 1994, Kravitz recorded "Main Squeeze" with Teena Marie from her Passion Play CD. Kravitz also made a video to pay tribute to Teena Marie when she suddenly died on December 26, 2010. He recorded a funk-rock version of the song "Deuce" for the KISS cover album Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved . The track featured Stevie Wonder on harmonica and background vocals. This song was one of three radio singles from the album, and was also the album's lead-off track. Roxie Roker, Kravitz's mother, died in California on December 2, 1995, of breast cancer at the age of 66. In 1995, Kravitz released the album Circus , which went to number 10 on the Billboard chart on the back of his past achievement. However, the album only had two hit singles: "Rock and Roll Is Dead" and "Can't Get You Off My Mind."

With 5 (1998), Kravitz embraced digital technology such as Pro Tools and samplers for the first time. Recorded in both his own New York City carriage house, and Compass Point Studios in The Bahamas, Kravitz employed engineer/producer Terry Manning to handle the recording duties. 5 introduced his music to an even wider audience thanks to the hit single "Fly Away" being featured prominently in both car manufacturer and airline commercials. 5 would reach number 28 on the Billboard 200, with "Fly Away" peaking at number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100, topping both the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks charts, and also topping the charts in Iceland and the United Kingdom. He would win the first of his four consecutive Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards of 1999. [5] Other hits from the album included "If You Can't Say No", that was remixed by dance producer Brian Transeau, and "I Belong to You." For the "I Belong to You" video Kravitz can be seen without his signature dreadlocks. In 1999 he produced and sang with Cree Summer on her solo album Street Faërie.

His cover version of the Guess Who's hit "American Woman" won him another Grammy at the Grammy Awards of 2000 [5] and helped the Guess Who's song reach a new audience. Kravitz's version of the song originally came from the soundtrack of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and was added to 5 as a bonus track in 1999. Kravitz worked on two songs for Michael Jackson's Invincible album released in 2001; a snippet of "Another Day" was leaked, and the full version was officially released on the album Michael in 2010. [42]

Kravitz released a Greatest Hits album in 2000. It proved to be his most successful album, reaching #2 on the Billboard 200 and selling nearly 11 million copies worldwide and ultimately becoming one of the most commercially successful albums of the decade. The single "Again" earned him his third consecutive Grammy for the Best Male Rock Vocal in the Grammy Awards of 2001 [5] and peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Kravitz also co-wrote the song "God Gave Me Everything" with Mick Jagger in this period, appearing on Jagger's 2001 solo album Goddess in the Doorway and in the film Being Mick . In 2001, Kravitz participated in a benefit auction for the Red Hot Organization, in conjunction with Amazon.com to increase public AIDS awareness, which ran from February 28 until April 11, 2001. The event featured rare RHO memorabilia and the work of Rolling Stone photographer Mark Seliger.

2001–2005: Lenny and Baptism

Kravitz in 2005 Lenny Kravitz (Brasilia, 2005).jpeg
Kravitz in 2005

Kravitz released his sixth album Lenny in October 2001. The album was recorded in Miami. Kravitz wrote the song "Bank Robber Man" after the Miami Police Department detained and cuffed him while walking to the gym with his trainer because police stated that he matched the description of a bank robber. Kravitz did not have any identification with him at the time and the police on the scene did not believe that he was indeed Lenny Kravitz. The bank teller who was robbed was then brought to the scene and said Kravitz was not the bank robber. Miami Police later sent officers to Kravitz's home to apologize for the detention. When asked if he thought the incident was a case of racial profiling, Kravitz said he was not sure although some of the lyrics in the song suggest otherwise. The first single from the album, "Dig In," went to number 1 in Argentina and the top 10 in Italy and Portugal. The video for "Dig In" was originally supposed to be shot at the top of the Empire State Building on September 12, 2001, but the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, caused the location to be moved. The video was later shot off the coast of Miami. He won his fourth Grammy in 2002. [5] "Stillness of Heart," "Believe in Me," and "If I Could Fall In Love" were subsequent singles from the album.

Kravitz was the subject of a photo book by former chief photographer for Rolling Stone, Mark Seliger. Published in November 2001, Seliger captures Kravitz on tour, with family, with friends, and in posed portraits. Jay-Z invited Kravitz to appear on the track "Guns and Roses" on his 2002 The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse . Kravitz would also join P. Diddy, Pharrell, and Loon on the track "Show Me Your Soul" from the Bad Boys II Soundtrack . In September 2002, Kravitz appeared alongside other rock stars in the episode "How I Spent My Strummer Vacation" of The Simpsons . In early 2003, Kravitz released the track "We Want Peace" as a download-only track as a protest against the 2003 invasion of Iraq, he performed this alongside famous Iraqi singer Kazem Al Saher at Rock the Vote. The track reached #1 on the world internet download charts and MP3.com download chart. Kravitz also appeared on Unity, the official album of the 2004 Athens Olympics, and performed a cover of "Have You Ever Been (To Electric Ladyland)" on the album Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix .

Kravitz's seventh album Baptism was released in May 2004. The first single was "Where Are We Runnin'?" The single "California" failed to be commercially successful, but "Storm", featuring Jay-Z, reached the charts. "Calling All Angels" was successful in various countries and a huge hit in Brazil, however it was "Lady" that became the album's surprise hit, making the US Top 30 and propelling Baptism to gold status. Also in 2004, he appeared on N.E.R.D's album Fly or Die . From March 2005, Kravitz toured all over the world with the tour Electric Church, which ended at the Brixton Academy, London in July 2005. Kravitz served as the opening act for Aerosmith who are long-term friends of Kravitz on their fall 2005 tour. The tour began on October 30 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The night before that tour started, October 29, 2005, Kravitz's father, TV producer Seymour "Sy" Kravitz, died. During that first show, Kravitz broke the news to the stunned crowd and stated it was not a time to be sad, but rather a time to celebrate because he is now in Heaven. Kravitz then dedicated Let Love Rule to his father. That tour was so successful that it was extended through February 25, 2006, and ended in Anaheim, California.

2006–2009: Live Earth, charity work, and It Is Time for a Love Revolution

Kravitz performing in 2012 Lenny Kravitz - Rock in Rio Madrid 2012 - 29 (cropped).jpg
Kravitz performing in 2012

In January 2006, Kravitz contributed "Breathe" to absoluttracks, a project sponsored by Absolut Vodka. This song was re-mixed by ten musical producers and distributed via the internet. Kravitz appeared in the audience of Madonna's Confessions Tour (2006) during numerous shows. He later joined Madonna live on stage to play guitar on the song, "I Love New York," at the last of four Paris shows. Kravitz founded a design firm named Kravitz Design, stating if he hadn't been a musician he would have been a designer. Kravitz Design, focused on interior and furniture design, has designed residential spaces, as well as a chandelier for the crystal company Swarovski, named "Casino Royale." [43]

On July 7, 2007, Kravitz performed at the Brazilian leg of Live Earth in Rio de Janeiro, [44] making him one of three major international rock stars to perform two huge free concerts at the world-famous Copacabana Beach along with Macy Gray and the Rolling Stones. Kravitz had already played there on March 21, 2005, drawing 300,000 people on a concert of his own. The Live Earth concert, with eight other acts on the bill, including Pharrell and Macy Gray had an audience of 400,000 on the beach. Also in 2007, Kravitz released a version of "Cold Turkey" by John Lennon on the charity CD Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur . Kravitz also spent time recording his latest album, It Is Time for a Love Revolution , released February 5, 2008. [45] On September 25, 2007, the Fats Domino tribute album Goin' Home; A Tribute To Fats Domino was released. Kravitz was on the song "Whole Lotta Lovin'" along with Rebirth Brass Band, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, and Maceo Parker. [46]

Kravitz performed at the Grey Cup halftime show in Toronto at the Rogers Centre on November 25, 2007, where the Saskatchewan Roughriders beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23–19. [47] The original video for "I'll Be Waiting" was shot in Central Park in New York City with Marc Webb directing but that video was later shelved and a new version, which Kravitz co-directed with Philip Andelman, was filmed in Kravitz's New York City recording studio. The video premiered on VH1's Top 20 Countdown at number 3. On January 17, 2008, Kravitz embarked on a nine-city mini-tour to promote his new album It Is Time for a Love Revolution. The tour started in Santa Monica, California and ended in New York City on February 1.

On February 11, 2008, Kravitz was admitted to Miami Hospital suffering from severe bronchitis. He had been suffering from a series of severe respiratory tract infections since mid-January, and the illness developed into bronchitis. Kravitz's illness had forced him to postpone Canadian dates and his trip to Europe to promote his album It Is Time for a Love Revolution. On March 19, 2008, he canceled the South American part of his tour due to the same illness. The decision affected planned concerts in Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. In Argentina Kravitz had a performance in the biggest rock festival there, Quilmes Rock Fest. [48] On July 15, 2008, Kravitz was honored in Milan, Italy with the key to the city in a special toast ceremony for his work with the United Nations Millennium Campaign to end world poverty. [49]

Kravitz made his feature film acting debut in Precious [50] which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2009. [51] During the Italian leg of his 53 date Let Love Rule 2009 European tour, Kravitz was instructed to cancel some shows due to another bad bout of bronchitis. Under strict orders from his doctor, the singer was told to rest so that he could make a quick recovery and return to the stage for the rest of his tour. Shows scheduled for Rome on June 5 and Brescia on June 17 were postponed to late July.

2009–2011: U2 tour and Black and White America

Kravitz performing in 2012 Lenny Kravitz - Rock in Rio Madrid 2012 - 32.jpg
Kravitz performing in 2012

Kravitz's next album, tentatively titled Funk, was tentatively re-titled Negrophilia and was due out sometime in 2010. This is believed to be a project that Kravitz has been working on since 1997. Some of the original tracks for Funk were recorded while he was in New Orleans at Allen Toussaint's studio while taking a break for several months from recording in New York City. A video on Kravitz's Twitter page shows him working on one of the songs for the album, called "Super Love", in his GTS studios in the Bahamas. Another video shows him working on another track titled "Life Ain't Never Been Better Than It Is Now" in his GTS Studios. [52] On his Twitter page, Kravitz said that the album title was Negrophilia but then "felt like something else". Eventually, the album was later named Black and White America . The album was released on August 22, 2011, in Europe and August 30, 2011, in the US.[ needs update ]

On February 20, 2011, the first single "Come on Get It" was released. On June 6, 2011, the second single "Stand" was released. It was announced that Kravitz would be supporting U2 on their 360 Tour on the second North American leg in 2010. Kravitz agreed to support them for four shows. Though the shows were postponed until 2011, Kravitz remained committed for four of the shows.[ needs update ]

In June 2010 it was announced that Kravitz would guest star on an episode of the upcoming season of Entourage . [53]

In 2011 Kravitz was honored with one of the highest cultural awards in France when he was made an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by French cultural minister Frederic Mitterrand in Paris. Kravitz stated he was "particularly touched" to receive the award in France as his success in the country pre-dated his success in the United States and still enjoys great record sales in the country today. [54] Kravitz joined other American recipients such as Martin Scorsese, George Clooney, and Bob Dylan. On February 26, 2012, he performed at the Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500, the opening race of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. A sample of "Are You Gonna Go My Way" was used in American singer Chris Willis's single "Too Much In Love", released on August 16, 2011. [55]

2012–present: The Hunger Games films, Super Bowl performance, and further albums

Kravitz performing with Katy Perry at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show Katy Perry - Super Bowl XLIX Halftime 05.jpg
Kravitz performing with Katy Perry at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show

Lenny Kravitz played the part of Katniss' creative stylist, Cinna, in the first two Hunger Games films, The Hunger Games released on March 23, 2012 [56] and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire released on November 22, 2013.

In 2014 Lenny Kravitz released his tenth studio album Strut on his own Roxie Records via Kobalt Label Services. [57] In 2015, Kravitz performed alongside Katy Perry at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show.

In 2015, during a guitar solo at a concert in Stockholm, Kravitz squatted down, causing his leather pants to rip. Because Kravitz was not wearing underpants, his genitals were briefly exposed to the audience. [58] He did not face any legal repercussions from the incident. [59]

As a designer, Kravitz launched a furniture collection in partnership with CB2 in 2015. [60]

Kravitz performing at the 2016 Democratic National Convention DNC 2016 - Lenny Kravitz.jpeg
Kravitz performing at the 2016 Democratic National Convention

In 2015 he became a furniture designer for the first time ever launching a collection of furniture products marketed under the label CB2 x Kravitz design through retailer CB2. [61] The collection was apparently inspired by the 70s and by the work of Italian designer Gabriella Crespi. [62]

In 2016 he guest starred on the FX Television show Better Things playing the part of Mel Trueblood. In 2017 he earned a spot on the Fox Television series Star playing the part of Roland Crane in his first recurring television role.

The Raise Vibration world tour, [63] (2018) coincided with the release of his 11th studio album. [64] [65]

In April 2018, Kravitz signed with BMG Rights Management for a new worldwide publishing music deal to go with his new album Raise Vibration , released in September 2018. [66] BMG had acquired Kravitz's music publishing rights in 2013, as part of Virgin Music Publishing. [67]

In the same Rolling Stone interview it was confirmed that Kravitz had already begun work on a follow-up to Raise Vibration, as well as a possible soundtrack to a future film project. [65]

In July 2022, Kravitz was named one of 2022's Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities by PETA. [68]

In 2023 Road to Freedom, a song written and performed by Kravitz for the film Rustin was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. [69] In December 2023 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced shortlists for the 96th Oscars ceremony. Road to Freedomwas included in the Best Original Song category. [70]

Kravitz won Music Icon of the Year at the 49th People's Choice Awards. [71]

IN 2024, Kravitz was among several nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. [72] [73]

Other work

Photography and collaboration with Leica

Kravitz has partnered with Leica on two occasions. In 2015 a Leica M-P edition titled "The Correspondent", and again in 2019 with a Monochrom edition titled "Drifter." [74] [75] The 2019 collaboration also included a gallery of his own work, which was unveiled on May 24, 2019, and was on display until August 25 of 2019 in the Leica Gallery in Wetzlar Germany.

Kravitz Design

Kravitz Design Inc. is a New York City-based company founded by Kravitz in 2003. [76] Kravitz Design focuses on commercial, residential and product creative direction and design. [76] Among its clients are the Morgans Hotel Group, Swarovski Crystal, and The Setai Group. [77] In 2010, Kravitz Design Inc. collaborated with Flavor Paper wallpaper on the Tropicalismo Collection, a line inspired by Brazil's Tropicalia art movement of the late 1960s. [78]

Swarovski selected Kravitz Design Inc. in 2005 and 2006 to participate in their Crystal Palace Collection. [79] Kravitz Design Inc. has also envisioned a luxury recording studio for The Setai Resort and Residences in Miami Beach, New York, Paris, and New Orleans. [80]

Falafel Expert

Kravitz is also known for his expertise in the field of falafel tasting. He has proclaimed the prestigious honour of best falafel in the world on Parisian eatery L'As du Fallafel. The criteria assessed are not known and as a result validity of this claim cannot be verified. [81]

Personal life

Kravitz with his daughter Zoe in March 2010 Zoe Kravitz and Lenny Kravitz at the 25th Spirit Awards (cropped).jpg
Kravitz with his daughter Zoë in March 2010

In 1985, Kravitz met Cosby Show actress Lisa Bonet backstage at a New Edition concert in California. [82] They were close friends for two years before beginning a relationship. [82] In 1987 Kravitz moved back to New York City, where The Cosby Show was produced, to move in with Bonet. [83] They eloped to be married in a Las Vegas ceremony on November 16, 1987, her 20th birthday. [82] Kravitz, still known as Romeo Blue at the time, suddenly found himself in the headlines of tabloids. He and Bonet had a daughter, Zoë Isabella Kravitz, on December 1, 1988, [84] who became an actress, singer and model. Kravitz and Bonet separated in 1991. [40] They divorced amicably in 1993. [83]

Kravitz dated French singer and model Vanessa Paradis from 1991 to 1996. [85] [86] He began dating Brazilian model Adriana Lima in 2001, [87] and they lived together before becoming engaged in 2002. [87] The engagement was called off in August 2003. [87] [88] [89] Lima was featured in the music video for Kravitz's 2002 single "Yesterday Is Gone (My Dear Kay)". [90] He then briefly dated and was engaged to Australian actress Nicole Kidman from 2003 to 2004. [91]

Kravitz identifies himself as a Christian in a religious sense "through choice" but states, "I'm also a Jew. It's all the same to me." [92] During another interview, he stated, "I'm half Jewish, I'm half black, I look in-between." [93] He also notes that spirituality "has been an important issue in [his] growth", citing his upbringing by parents of different faiths. [94] Such spirituality is prominently featured in many of his songs, such as the lyrics on his album Baptism, and a tattoo on his back which is inscribed with "My Heart Belongs to Jesus Christ". [95] In 2011, he stated that his 2005 religious commitment to remain celibate until remarriage was unchanged. In a 2014 interview with Men's Health , however, he reconsidered his previous stance. [96] [97] [98]

He currently owns a house in Paris, [99] a farm compound in Brazil, [100] and a trailer with the surrounding land in the Bahamas. [101]

He follows veganism [102] with a primarily raw vegan diet, [101] and uses his land in Brazil and the Bahamas to grow his own food. [101] PETA named Kravitz one of the Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities of 2022, along with singer/songwriter Anitta. [103]

He is a member of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism, with whom he worked on a radio PSA. [104]

Discography

Studio albums

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998 The Rugrats Movie Newborn Baby (voice)Nominated—Kids Choice Award for Best Cameo Voice in Animated Film
2001 Zoolander HimselfCameo role
2007 The Diving Bell and the Butterfly HimselfCameo role
2009 Precious Nurse JohnSupporting role
2012 The Hunger Games Cinna Supporting role
The World Is Watching: Making the Hunger GamesHimselfDocumentary
2013 The Butler James HollowaySupporting role
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire CinnaSupporting role
2014 Holy Ghost HimselfGuest star
2022 Shotgun Wedding Sean
TBACutmanEmerittPre-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2001 Being Mick HimselfSupporting role
Television film
2002 The Simpsons HimselfEpisode: "How I Spent My Strummer Vacation"
2004 Rebelde HimselfGuest star
Episode: "Capítulo 127"
2010 Entourage HimselfGuest star
Episode: "Tequila and Coke"
2016 Better Things Mel TruebloodGuest star
Episode: "Brown"
Star Roland Crane2 episodes

Tours

Awards and nominations

Grammy awards and nominations

YearCategoryRecipientOutcome
1994 Best Rock Song "Are You Gonna Go My Way"Nominated [5]
Best Male Rock Vocal Performance Nominated [5]
1996"Rock and Roll Is Dead"Nominated [5]
1999"Fly Away"Won [5]
2000"American Woman"Won [5]
2001"Again"Won [5]
Best Rock Song Nominated [5]
2002 Best Male Rock Vocal Performance "Dig In"Won [5]
2004"If I Could Fall In Love"Nominated [5]

Billboard Music Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
1993"Are You Gonna Go My Way"Top Album Rock TrackNominated
HimselfTop Album Rock Tracks ArtistNominated
Top Modern Rock Tracks ArtistNominated
1999Nominated
Top Hot 100 Artist - MaleNominated
"Fly Away"Top Mainstream Rock TrackNominated
2001HimselfTop Male ArtistNominated
Top Billboard 200 Artist - MaleNominated

Žebřík Music Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
1998HimselfBest International MaleNominated [105]
Best International InstrumentalistNominated
Best International PersonalityNominated
5 Best International AlbumNominated
"I Belong to You"Best International SongNominated
1999HimselfBest International MaleNominated
Best International InstrumentalistNominated
2000Nominated
Best International MaleNominated
"Again"Best International SongNominated
Best International VideoNominated
2001 Lenny Best International AlbumNominated
HimselfBest International PersonalityNominated
Best International MaleNominated
2002Nominated
2004Nominated [106]
2007Nominated
2008Won
"I'll Be Waiting"Best International SongNominated
2009HimselfBest International MaleNominated
2011Nominated [107]

Other awards and nominations

YearAwardsCategoryRecipientOutcome
1990 MTV Video Music Awards Best New Artist in a Video "Let Love Rule"Nominated
1991 Pollstar Concert Industry AwardsClub Tour of the YearLet Love Rule TourNominated
Denmark GAFFA Awards Best Foreign Solo Act [108] HimselfNominated
1992 ASCAP Pop Music Awards "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over"Most Performed Songs [109] Won
"Justify My Love"Won
1993 MTV Video Music Awards Best Male Video "Are You Gonna Go My Way"Won
Best Art Direction Nominated
Denmark GAFFA Awards [108] Best Foreign AlbumAre You Gonna Go My WayNominated
Best ConcertUniversal Love TourNominated
Best Foreign Solo ActHimselfNominated
1994 Brit Awards International Male Solo Artist Won
Pollstar Concert Industry AwardsSmall Hall Tour of the YearUniversal Love TourNominated
Most Creative Stage ProductionNominated
1995 MTV Europe Music Awards Best Male HimselfNominated
1998 VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards Most Fashionable Artist, MaleWon
Denmark GAFFA Awards Best Foreign Songwriter [108] Nominated
Fryderyk Best Foreign Album 5 Nominated
Kids Choice Awards Best Cameo Voice in Animated Film The Rugrats Movie Nominated
1999 MTV Video Music Awards Best Male Video "Fly Away"Nominated
Best Rock Video Nominated
MTV Europe Music Awards Best Rock HimselfNominated
Billboard Music Video AwardsFAN.tastic Video"Fly Away"Won
Pollstar Concert Industry AwardsSmall Hall Tour of the YearThe Freedom TourNominated
VH1 Fashion Awards Most Fashionable Artist, MaleHimselfNominated
Online Music Awards Favorite Male Artist [110] Nominated
2000MVPA AwardsBest Pop Video"American Woman"Nominated
Best Rock VideoNominated
Soundtrack Video of the YearNominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Music: Male Artist HimselfNominated
2001Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards Best Male Video "Again"Nominated
MVPA Awards Rock Video of the Year [111] Nominated
Best Styling in a VideoNominated
Radio Music Awards Artist of the Year/Pop Alternative RadioHimselfWon
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Male Artist – RockWon
My VH1 Awards Favorite Male ArtistWon
2002 American Music Awards Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist Won
Microsoft Windows Media Innovation Awards Microsoft Windows Media Innovation Award Won
MTV Europe Music Awards Best Live Act Nominated
Best Male Nominated
2003Lunas del AuditorioBest Foreign Rock ArtistNominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Fashion Icon: MaleNominated
2004 BDSCertified Spin Awards 50,000 Spins"Lady"Won
2005Lunas del AuditorioBest Foreign Rock ArtistHimselfWon
2006 ASCAP Pop Awards Most Performed Song"Lady"Won
2008MVPA AwardsBest Editing"I'll Be Waiting"Nominated
"Love Love Love"Nominated
2009 ECHO awards Best International Male ArtistHimselfNominated
NRJ Music Awards International Male Artist of the YearNominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Best Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Precious Nominated
Black Reel Awards Best Ensemble Won
Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards Best Cast Won
Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Acting Ensemble Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Best Ensemble Nominated
2010 D&AD Awards Music Video"Let Love Rule" (Justice Remix)Wood Pencil
2012 DJ Awards Best Ibiza Live Performance HimselfWon
MTV Movie Awards Best Cast The Hunger Games Nominated
2013 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Acting Ensemble The Butler Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated
DJ Awards Best Ibiza Live Performance HimselfWon
2014 NRJ Music Awards NRJ Award of HonorWon
2015 UK Music Video Awards Best Live Music Coverage"Just Let Go"Won
2018Best Rock Video - International"Low"Nominated
Lunas del AuditorioBest Foreign Rock ArtistHimselfNominated
2019 GAFFA-Prisen Awards Best International ArtistNominated
MTV Video Music Awards Best Rock Video [112] "Low"Nominated
2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame PerformerHimself [113] [73] Pending

See also

Notes

  1. Leonard M. Kravitz was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross but was denied the Medal of Honor. [18] In 2014, he received the Medal of Honor in a ceremony that awarded it to 24 servicemen who were passed over because of their ethnicity or religion. [19]

Citations

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General sources

Further reading

Awards and achievements
Grammy Award
Preceded by Best Male Rock Vocal Performance
1999
for "Fly Away"
Succeeded by
Lenny Kravitz
for "American Woman"
Preceded by
Lenny Kravitz
for "Fly Away"
Best Male Rock Vocal Performance
2000
for "American Woman"
Succeeded by
Lenny Kravitz
for "Again"
Preceded by
Lenny Kravitz
for "American Woman"
Best Male Rock Vocal Performance
2001
for "Again"
Succeeded by
Lenny Kravitz
for "Dig In"
Preceded by
Lenny Kravitz
for "Again"
Best Male Rock Vocal Performance
2002
for "Dig In"
Succeeded by
MTV Video Music Awards
Preceded by Best Male Video
1993
for "Are You Gonna Go My Way"
Succeeded by
Preceded by Grey Cup Halftime Show
2007
Succeeded by

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Circus is the fourth studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released in 1995 by Virgin Records. It reached number 10 on the US Billboard 200 and number five on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Kravitz's first top 10 album in the US and second in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fly Away (Lenny Kravitz song)</span> 1998 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Fly Away" is a song by American singer Lenny Kravitz. It was released as the fourth single from his fifth studio album, 5 (1998). Released on November 9, 1998, "Fly Away" peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, "Fly Away" topped the charts in Iceland and the United Kingdom and peaked within the top ten of the charts in several countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Performance in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Are You Gonna Go My Way (song)</span> 1993 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Are You Gonna Go My Way" is a song by American musician Lenny Kravitz, released in February 1993 by Virgin as the first single from his third studio album, Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993). The song was written by Kravitz and Craig Ross, while Kravitz produced it. It peaked at number one in Australia and number four on the UK Singles Chart, as well as number one on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart and number two on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Its music video was directed by Mark Romanek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It Ain't Over 'til It's Over</span> 1991 single by Lenny Kravitz

"It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" is a song written, produced, and performed by American musician Lenny Kravitz for his second studio album, Mama Said (1991). Released as the album's second single in June 1991 by Virgin, the song is a mid-tempo ballad musically inspired by Motown, Philly soul, and Earth, Wind & Fire. The horn line at the end is performed by the Phenix Horns from Earth, Wind & Fire. "That song just came out one day, and I knew it had a classic vibe. And I still love that song very much today," Kravitz said in an interview for VivaMusic.com in 2000. The line is based on a Yogiism, or quotation from Yogi Berra: "It ain't over 'til it's over."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Again (Lenny Kravitz song)</span> 2000 song by Lenny Kravitz

"Again" is a song by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, being the only new song from his first Greatest Hits album, released in 2000. Written, arranged and produced by himself, "Again" was initially set to be on his sixth studio album; however, Kravitz found that the song didn't fit the tone of the album, releasing it instead as the lead single from the compilation on September 22, 2000, through Virgin Records. The mid-tempo rock ballad finds Kravitz wondering if he will ever see his former lover again and if they will reunite once more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Always on the Run</span> 1991 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Always on the Run" is a song by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released as the first single from his second album, Mama Said (1991), in March 1991. It features a contribution by Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. Slash had written the music for the song with the original intention of releasing it on a Guns N' Roses studio album, but since former drummer Steven Adler had difficulty playing the song, he saved it for this eventual collaboration with Kravitz. On June 6, 1992, during Guns N' Roses's Use Your Illusion Tour stop in Paris, Kravitz joined the band onstage and played guitar and sang vocals for this track.

<i>It Is Time for a Love Revolution</i> 2008 studio album by Lenny Kravitz

It Is Time for a Love Revolution is the eighth studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, released on February 5, 2008. The album produced four singles released in 2007 and 2008. This is Kravitz's final album for Virgin Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Love Rule (song)</span> 1989 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Let Love Rule" is the debut single by American musician Lenny Kravitz and appeared on his debut studio album, Let Love Rule (1989). The song charted at number 23 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks charts, and number 5 on the US Modern Rock charts. Then-wife Lisa Bonet appears in the video for the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Be Waiting (Lenny Kravitz song)</span> 2007 single by Lenny Kravitz

"I'll Be Waiting" is a rock song written by Lenny Kravitz and Craig Ross for Kravitz's eighth studio album, It Is Time for a Love Revolution (2008). It was released as the album's lead single on December 6, 2007. The iTunes download release date for the song was November 6, 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lenny Kravitz discography</span>

American singer Lenny Kravitz has released 11 studio albums, one greatest hits compilation album, four box set compilation albums, two extended plays, sixty-one singles, and eight video albums, including three live albums. His debut album Let Love Rule (1989) peaked at number 61 in the US, and while receiving generally positive reviews, it became a huge success in Europe but took a long time to reach success in the US. Its followers, Mama Said (1991) and Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993) sold better overall than his debut, achieving platinum and multi-platinum status respectively, establishing Kravitz in the music industry and expanding his success in Europe and South America. However, despite only a two-year gap between albums, personal issues such as substance abuse problems, the aftermath of divorce, and his mother Roxie Roker's illness led to a decline in commercial sales with Circus (1995).

<i>Are You Gonna Go My Way</i> 1993 studio album by Lenny Kravitz

Are You Gonna Go My Way is the third studio album by American singer Lenny Kravitz, released on March 9, 1993, by Virgin Records. It was recorded at Waterfront Studios, Hoboken, New Jersey, by Henry Hirsch. It became Kravitz's first top 20 album on the United States Billboard 200, and his first number one album in both Australia and the United Kingdom, achieving worldwide success that helped to establish his popularity as a performer.

<i>Raise Vibration</i> 2018 studio album by Lenny Kravitz

Raise Vibration is the eleventh studio album by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz. It was released on Roxie Records via BMG Rights Management on September 7, 2018 and produced seven singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Believe (Lenny Kravitz song)</span> 1993 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Believe" is a song by American musician Lenny Kravitz, released by Virgin Records on May 10, 1993, as the second single from his third album, Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993). It is a rock ballad with string orchestration, and was co-written, arranged and produced by Kravitz, with Henry Hirsch also contributing to the orchestration and composition. Its lyrics concern one being able to achieve freedom and "eternal grace" if they believe in themselves and put their faith in God.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stand by My Woman</span> 1991 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Stand by My Woman" is a song recorded by American singer Lenny Kravitz and released on September 2, 1991, as the fourth single from his second studio album Mama Said. The song was later included as a track on his 2000 album Greatest Hits.