Supply: Michael Kovac / Getty
Ever since he first “let love rule” in 1989 on his debut album of the identical title, Lenny Kravitz has been one of many largest Black musicians to affect the predominately white style of rock within the useless of legendary acts earlier than him like Tina Turner, Prince and Jimi Hendrix. With plans subsequent March to launch Blue Electrical Gentle, his longevity-defining twelfth studio album, you’d suppose the 59-year-old guitar hero could be in his Lifetime Achievement period at annual award ceremonies just like the NAACP Awards, Soul Practice Awards and particularly the BET Awards.
Surprisingly sufficient, Kravitz lately argued the alternative in his Winter 2023 cowl story for Esquire Journal by stating that he’s truly acquired little to no Black media assist in any respect; as he put, not one “BET factor.”
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Studying into Kravitz’s feedback concerning lack of Black media assist, there’s room to see issues from each side. The plight of biracial musicians can oftentimes include its justifiable share of identification points with regards to connecting with the neighborhood at massive, as equally large pop stars like Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys for instance have mentioned in their very own careers. Nonetheless, the place Mariah and Alicia each have cemented themselves on the forefront of Black music, which primarily favors hip-hop and R&B/soul, Kravitz hasn’t at all times proven the identical illustration in his profession as a Black musician.
A have a look at the various lovely fashions featured in his music movies through the years, for instance, reveals an attention-grabbing have a look at what catches his eye.
…we do give him props for embracing his Bahamian roots within the 1998 video for “I Belong To You” although, and that includes Bermudian magnificence Aliana King in his 2020 video for “Experience”:
Whereas it’s true that Kravitz’s solely nominations with regards to Black award ceremonies are for his supporting performing roles in Valuable (2009) and The Starvation Video games (2012) — none for music, sadly — can it’s argued that his rock-fueled artistry general may’ve been too fast-paced to correctly construct a Black viewers? We imagine all artists from our tradition ought to really feel accepted in the neighborhood, however you’ve additionally received to provide a little bit to get a little bit, proper?
Have a look beneath at what the lots are saying about Lenny Kravitz and his emotions on lack of Black media assist, and hold forth with your personal ideas as properly:
1. Unsure why he’d be invited to a hip hop awards present when he makes rock however he positively ought to’ve been invited to the BET Awards
by way of @Darksince78
2. This stood out to me as a result of, for years, I’ve questioned when BET would honor Lenny Kravitz. I don’t count on white institutes to provide him recognition, however BET and black publications ought to have fun his artistry. Lenny doesn’t make R&B, however rock is OUR style.
by way of @sleep2dream
3. Lenny Kravitz is correct. He’s been ignored by black media regardless of his consistency in placing out good music.
by way of @taball1
4. That Esquire piece on Lenny Kravitz is so so good. By no means thought of the truth that black media largely ignored him his whole profession. Loopy
by way of @alahrod
5. BET has not even invited Robert Glasper to carry out on the awards not to mention Lenny Kravitz, and so many different Black musicians who’ve shifted the cultural panorama over the previous 40 yrs.
by way of @kenyonfarrow
6. He has a proper to really feel that approach. I hate how black retailers overlook black rock artists. How are we not lifting up Lenny Kravitz and Gary Clarke Jr??!!
by way of @4Evashook
7. Spare ideas concerning the Lenny Kravitz article. He’s proper about our failure to acknowledge his work and accomplishments. However I care extra about this for our sake than his bruised ego. As a result of I’ve by no means gotten the impression he cared about neighborhood.
by way of @happysquirel75
8. That is layered b/c the objective for a lot of artist that solely received video spins on BET within the 90s/00s was to have cross over/business success. Lenny Kravitz had/had business success, he wasn’t ever marketed to a black viewers & his label/workforce might be the blame for that
by way of @Ariel_Symone
9. He’s talked about not liking being recognized as Black rising up. Why then ought to Black recognized retailers attain out to him or characteristic him?
by way of @tontonlove
10. Black retailers did my canine Lenny Kravitz soiled, man
by way of @VinceValholla
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