Spotlight: Lenny Kravitz On Embracing His Multicultural Roots

Lenny Kravitz is a prominent figure in the music industry, known for his unique blend of rock, funk, and soul. In a recent exclusive interview, Kravitz discussed his journey as a Black man embracing his full heritage and how it has influenced his life and career.

In the interview, Kravitz spoke about the importance of celebrating all aspects of his heritage. He reflected on how his upbringing in a multicultural environment exposed him to a rich tapestry of cultural experiences, which have deeply influenced his music and artistry. Kravitz emphasized that embracing his full heritage has been integral to his personal growth and creative expression.

Kravitz grew up with a diverse upbringing, which was rich in Black culture thanks to his parents' circle of friends, including his late godmother Cicely Tyson as well as friends like Duke Ellington, who used to play piano for him as a kid.

“In our circle no one really talked about differences,” Kravitz says now, explaining that while he identifies "as a Black man completely, there are all the other things there too, and I will not discount my father and that heritage."

He adds, "No one in my circle ever said, 'You have to choose or you should choose.' "

Kravitz also touched on the broader conversation about race and identity, highlighting the significance of acknowledging and honoring one’s complete background. He believes that understanding and embracing all parts of one’s heritage can lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life.

But it was at school that Kravitz remembers his mixed race being called into question. "It wasn’t until my parents took me to school in first grade, and a kid stopped, pointed and yelled, 'Your dad is white!' My parents were the only ones that didn’t match," he shares.

This sparked a lot of conversation in the house, of course. After a heart-to-heart with his mom, Kravitz came to understand, “‘You’re no more one than the other, but you are a young Black man. People are only going to see you as Black, and that’s fine.’ It was informative.”

Lenny recalled, "I didn't know what the hell to put," the longtime rocker says of those forms he had to fill out in school. "I was Native American. My great-grandmother is pure blood Cherokee Indian, and I'm African and I'm Ukrainian, and also Jewish Christian."
He then recalls asking himself, "'What do I write down?' Because they would only let you put down one thing. I remember saying to the teacher, 'No, no. Just Black,' and keep it moving."

"I was always going to make the music I made," says Kravitz, who notes that Zeppelin had such an impact on him growing up because they were channeling "the power of Black music like Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley," which opened up this "vortex" in him.
"Rock and roll is not 'white,' " Kravitz says, explaining that "we have to retain our heritage and creations."

Overall, Kravitz’s reflections offer a profound insight into how his background has shaped his career and personal life, underscoring the value of embracing and celebrating one’s complete heritage.