Lenny Kravitz gets candid about music career ahead of new album release
Lenny Kravitz is geared to release his upcoming album on May 24, 2024
Lenny Kravitz is opening up about his struggles in the music industry, including the release of his 1989 debut album, Let Love Rule, as he gears up for the release of his next album.
The 59-year -old singer gave an exclusive interview to PEOPLE magazine for this week’s cover story in which he he discussed his musical career.
As the singer prepares to off Black History Month, he said, “It seems like lifetimes ago, but then again, it seems like yesterday.”
The I Belong to You crooner is now gearing up to launch his twelfth new studio album, which will be released on May 24, 2024.
This album’s release would be followed by his lead single, TK421 and its music video that set the internet ablaze. However, the artist can still recall the tough battles he fought in order to to get his music out to the masses.
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When Kravitz pitched his rock music to labels back in the '80s, many reportedly said no to him as they believed that a black artist would not fit in the industry.
“I was told my music wasn’t Black enough or wasn't white enough," the American Women rocker said.
Reflecting on his diverse musical choices and genres he revealed that the "[record labels] said I had to make a choice, but I never did."
"I was told that I need to make the music that Black people commercially are making that's on the radio, so you'll have success. And I just could never get with any of that. I was going to make the music that I made," Kravitz particularly stated.
Let Love Rule, his debut album, was an inspiration of the diverse influences that artist surrounded himself, from his parents' friend Duke Ellington to The Jackson 5 and Led Zeppelin.
"The inspiration was everything that I'd learned from a child to then musically. Blues, gospel, jazz, reggae, pop, R&B, rock and roll, everything. Mixed with the world that [ his daughter] Zoë's mom and I were creating. Our world, our family, our circle of friends, just peace and love and spirit. And that's what came out," he told the outlet.
