Spanning a 35-year career, Lenny Kravitz performed a medley of his greatest hits during the People’s Choice Awards telecast on Sunday (2.18) and he was also the recipient of the Music Icon Award.
Playing his lead guitar while strutting up the catwalk to join his band, Kravitz launched into “Fly Away” followed by his new track “TK421,” and then he segued into “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over” before finishing up with “Let Love Rule” and “Are You Gonna Go My Way.”
Addressing the importance of staying true to oneself and the importance of love during his inspiring acceptance speech for the Music Icon Award, Lenny said:
“I kept going back to that word icon. And it means a lot of things to a lot of people. But to me, it means you’ve made an indelible mark by being who God created you to be and daring to be different.” “My music wasn’t Black enough. It wasn’t white enough. It didn’t fit nicely inside the box, or sound like what was on the radio at the time,” he continued. “And I turned down the money and the glitzy promises and fame and stardom because I couldn’t live with myself doing something inauthentic. An icon to me is someone who inspires and teaches others to believe in themselves and their direction, whatever that direction is.” “Music is about bringing us all together. And the whole reason I create and perform music is to amplify love. There’s no barrier between performer and audience. It’s all about all of us embracing love and unity in this world that God has given us. Love is the strongest power and love will win. We are all one. One God, one people, one planet. Let love rule, y’all. Thank you.”
Offering advice to aspiring artists, he added: “Never follow the trends, set your own pace, and recognize that the best is right here right now in front of you.”
Come May 24, the iconic rocker will release his 12th studio album, Blue Electric Light, and earlier this month, the four-time Grammy winner and Global Impact Award recipient, honored Clarence Avant during the In Memoriam segment. His song “Road to Freedom” for the Netflix film Rustin was nominated for a Golden Globe and Critic’s Choice Award earlier this year.
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Author: Al Denté
Photo: Lunchbox LP