Lenny Kravitz sings and wins music icon at the 2024 People's Choice Awards
Lenny Kravitz was honored for his impact in the music industry at the 2024 People's Choice Awards.
The 59-year-old singer received the Music Icon Award at the ceremony on Sunday, February 18, which was held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. He also took the stage to perform a medley of hits from his catalog, including “Fly Away,” “TK421,” “It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over,” “Let Love Rule” and “Are Your Gonna Go My Way'. .”
After the performance, Kravitz took the stage and thanked him for the “incredible award.”
“When I thought about what to say tonight, I kept coming back to that word 'icon,'” he said. “It means a lot to a lot of people. But to me it means that you have left an indelible mark by being who God created you to be and by daring to be different.”
The 2024 People's Choice Awards will celebrate some of Hollywood's biggest celebrities – and some newer faces – while honoring the best in movies, TV, music and pop culture. The fan-voted awards show will be hosted by Simu Liu on Sunday, February 18 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. Even though it's on […]
Kravitz noted that when he first “came up,” he was offered “a lot of deals,” but people wanted him to “change.”
“My music wasn't black enough. It wasn't white enough. It didn't fit nicely in a box and didn't sound like it was on the radio at the time. And I turned down the money and the glitzy promises of fame and stardom because I couldn't live with doing something inauthentic,” he said. “For me an icon, [is] someone who inspires others and teaches them to believe in themselves and their direction, whatever that direction is.”
Kravitz said it's “never” about how many records he sells or awards he wins, but about “enjoying and being grateful” for the journey and using “the gifts God has given you.” He commented, “It will continue because I'm only doing me.”
He added that his mantra has been the same for 35 years: “Never follow the trends, set your own pace and recognize that the best is here and now for you.”
Before closing the speech, Kravitz thanked several people in his life, including his parents, for “taking” [him] at all those great concerts back then [he] was a child instead of leaving [him] at home with a babysitter.” He also praised his fans, saying that “the whole reason” he makes and performs music is to “strengthen love.”
Fan-favorite stars rock the red carpet at the 2024 People's Choice Awards. Movie stars, filmmakers, TV personalities and influencers gave us a fashion show on Sunday, February 18 at Santa Monica's Barker Hanger. There were flowy dresses, flirty dresses, stylish suits and some outfits that have to be seen to be believed. Besides fashion, […]
“There is no barrier between artist and audience. “It's about all of us embracing the love and unity in this world that God has given us,” he said. “Love is the strongest force and love will conquer. We are all one. One God, one people, one planet.”
The honor was presented by Victoria Monetwho honored Kravitz, whom she called an “undeniable, once-in-a-lifetime genius.”
“His music made you feel it all. Love, hope, reflection, joy, sadness, anger, that sometimes makes you want to fly away. But take it from him, it's not over until it's over,” she joked.
NBC, Peacock and E! announced in January that Kravitz would be celebrated during the broadcast. “With eleven studio albums over a decades-long career, Lenny Kravitz cemented himself as a global rock superstar,” Jen Neal, an executive vice president at NBCUniversal Entertainment said in a statement at the time. “Whether writing and performing his own hits or working behind the scenes writing for other industry greats, Lenny's musical gift is truly unparalleled. We are pleased to honor him as this year's music icon and look forward to seeing what he brings to the stage.”
Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis/Getty Images Lenny Kravitz is “Sittin' on Top of the World” as devoted father to daughter Zoë Kravitz. Lenny and ex-wife Lisa Bonet welcomed their only child together in December 1988. The couple, who married a year earlier, eventually separated in 1993 but remained committed to co-parenting Zoë. (Bonet also shares […]
Before Kravitz, only two artists have won the Music Icon Award. Christina Aguilera was the first recipient in 2021, followed by Shania Twain in 2022.
Outside of the awards ceremony, Kravitz is gearing up to debut his upcoming album, Blue electric light, in May, his first record release in more than five years. In his 2023 Esquire cover story, he revealed that he was working on three albums simultaneously during the lockdown imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. After restrictions eased, he worked out his new music in the studio, mixing the songs “a thousand times” as he “kept polishing.”
While the other two records are largely completed and he believes fans will hear them one day, Kravitz knew Blue electric light was the album to drop first. “This one spoke to me,” he explained. “This one has to come out.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Kravitz addressed the lack of respect he received from critics throughout his career. “It was discouraging at times,” he admitted, before emphasizing that the negativity did not ruin his perspective. “I'm doing well. Intact – happy, healthy, focused, with so much to do.”
Although Kravitz has earned four Grammys and was nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame earlier this month, he emphasized that there are more meaningful things in his life than awards. “I'm not here for the accolades,” he said. “I'm here for the experience.”