Latest update May 30th, 2019 12:49 PM
LENNY KRAVITZ COLLABOS W/ HIP HOP ARTISTS ON HIS "BLACK AND WHITE IN AMERICA" ALBUM
Written by: Toni S.
According to Billboard magazine-Lenny Kravitz says his new album, “Black and White America,” is a particularly personal entry in his 20-year catalog. The album will be released on August 30, 2011. Personally I was more interested in what prompted the title of the album selected by the bi-racial artist- known for balancing between color lines.
In an era where many believe that “color is not an issue”- why entitle the “new age” sound of Lenny Kravitz with such a dismal reminder of racism in America. As we embark on the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C., he striking photo on the album cover speaks volumes to the uphill struggle that faces us all. A black boy at a rally for peace in the 60’s. His eyes speak of a fight that he somehow knows will be a battle waged because of the color of his skin and not the merit of his character.
“It’s my life,” Kravitz — the son of a black actress, Roxie Roker, and a white television producer, Sy Kravitz — tells Billboard.com. “I grew up in an environment where I was in between a so-called black and white world. My life has always been about contrasts, and it reflects on not only my life and what I’ve gone through with my parents and what I saw growing up, but also where we are now as far as this country, and accepting these kind of changes where we now have an African-American president.
“All the records are personal,” Kravitz adds, “so I can’t say this one is more personal than the others, but I think it tells more of my story. I think it’ll give people a little more insight into me and my life.”
Kravitz describes the 12-song set as “very up — probably the most up album I’ve done. It’s really well-rounded as far as where my influences come from, why I love music and what I grew up listening to. This one really runs the spectrum from rock to funk to pop to R&B to jazz to blues…it’s really raw.” Kravitz says it also makes greater use of synthesizers than he has in the past, tapping into a collection of vintage instruments that he’s collected over the years
Kravitz collaborates with JAY-Z to create “Boongie Drop”
I’m feeling this one!
