Lenny Kravitz

{{Disputed section|Paternal Ancestry V3|date=February 2025}}

Kravitz was born on May 26, 1964, in New York City,{{Cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Famous-birthdays-for-May...Lenny-Kravitz.../2911527308588/|title=Famous birthdays for May 26: Lenny Kravitz, Stevie Nicks|work=UPI|access-date=2018-07-06|language=en|archive-date=July 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706104100/https://www.upi.com/Famous-birthdays-for-May...Lenny-Kravitz.../2911527308588/|url-status=live}} the only child of NBC television news producer Sy Kravitz (1924–2005) and actress Roxie Roker (1929–1995).{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/music/features/musician-lenny-kravitz-1202990240/|title=Lenny Kravitz: 'I Never Wanted to Be a Star; I Wanted to Be a Musician'|last=Saval|first=Malina|date=October 26, 2018|website=Variety|access-date=January 19, 2019|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127143532/https://variety.com/2018/music/features/musician-lenny-kravitz-1202990240/|url-status=live}} His mother came from a Christian family that was of African-American and Bahamian descent.{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4495463|work=NPR|title=Lenny Kravitz Takes Spiritual Turn on 'Baptism'|first=Scott|last=Simon|date=February 12, 2005|access-date=February 15, 2018|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017225138/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4495463|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list/profile/article/the-face-t738f78zm9l|work=The Times|location=London|title=The face|first=Sophie|last=Heawood|date=January 25, 2008|access-date=May 7, 2010|archive-date=January 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120043014/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-face-t738f78zm9l|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=Marlow Stern|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/08/29/lenny-kravitz-s-black-white-album-funk-soul-r-b-with-jay-z.html|title=Lenny Kravitz's 'Black & White' Album: Funk, Soul & R&B, With Jay-Z|newspaper=The Daily Beast|date=August 29, 2011|access-date=March 31, 2012|archive-date=April 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403233003/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/08/29/lenny-kravitz-s-black-white-album-funk-soul-r-b-with-jay-z.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/lenny-kravitz-mr-love-58889.html|title=Lenny Kravitz: Mr Love|work=The Independentfirst=Nick|last=Duerden|date=May 7, 2004|access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508124810/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/lenny-kravitz-mr-love-58889.html|url-status=live}} His grandfather was Russian-Jewish.{{cite web|url=http://www.blackbookmag.com/music/lenny-kravitz-considers-the-unforgettable-people-whove-helped-color-his-wor-1.24443|title=Lenny Kravitz Considers the Unforgettable People Who've Helped Color His World|quote=Lenny Kravitz: Later my mother told me, "Look, I'm African-American and your father is a Russian Jew, and you should be proud of both sides, neither more than the other."|work=BlackBook|date=August 29, 2011|access-date=January 19, 2019|archive-date=November 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123153641/http://www.blackbookmag.com/music/lenny-kravitz-considers-the-unforgettable-people-whove-helped-color-his-wor-1.24443|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=640288231|title=Lenny Kravitz On Race, 'Raise Vibration' And Duetting With Aretha Franklin|date=August 22, 2018|website=NPR|access-date=January 18, 2019|quote=[Lenny] Kravitz: "Well, Brooklyn was just - I had Jewish grandparents - Russian Jews that were in Sheepshead Bay."|archive-date=August 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823052402/https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=640288231|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Samuels|first=Allison|url=https://www.newsweek.com/crossing-over-143567|title=CROSSING OVER|work=Newsweek|date=January 9, 2002|access-date=January 19, 2019|archive-date=January 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119230830/https://www.newsweek.com/crossing-over-143567|url-status=live}} Through his mother, Kravitz is a second cousin of television weather presenter Al Roker,{{cite news |last1=Weisholtz |first1=Drew |title=Al Roker reunites with distant cousin Lenny Kravitz |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/al-roker-reunites-distant-cousin-lenny-kravitz-t193275 |access-date=8 November 2020 |website=Today.com |date=5 October 2020 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031083743/https://www.today.com/popculture/al-roker-reunites-distant-cousin-lenny-kravitz-t193275 |url-status=live }} as their grandfathers were brothers.{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/video/lenny-kravitz-gives-arch-digest-a-look-inside-his-brazil-home-1498332739754 |title=Lenny Kravitz gives Arch Digest a look inside his Brazil home |website=Today |date=April 18, 2019 |access-date=April 18, 2019 |archive-date=April 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418221334/https://www.today.com/video/lenny-kravitz-gives-arch-digest-a-look-inside-his-brazil-home-1498332739754 |url-status=live }} Kravitz was named after his uncle, Leonard M. Kravitz, a private first class who was killed in action in the Korean War at the age of 20, while single-handedly holding off a Chinese attack, enabling most of his platoon to escape.{{cite web|author=Harrison, Donald H.|url=http://www.jewishsightseeing.com/usa/wash_dc/capitol_building/sd4-13leonard_kravitz_act.htm|title=Did anti-Semitism block medal for rocker's namesake?|publisher=San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage|date=April 13, 2001|access-date=September 25, 2011|archive-date=September 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928014834/http://www.jewishsightseeing.com/usa/wash_dc/capitol_building/sd4-13leonard_kravitz_act.htm|url-status=live}}{{efn|Leonard M. Kravitz was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross but was denied the Medal of Honor. In 2014, he received the Medal of Honor in a ceremony that awarded it to 24 servicemen who had been passed over because of their ethnicity or religion.{{cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/valor24/recipients/kravitz/ |title=Private First Class Leonard M. Kravitz | Valor 24 | Medal of Honor |website=Army.mil |access-date=April 19, 2014 |archive-date=April 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409004719/http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/valor24/recipients/kravitz/ |url-status=live }}}}

During his early years, Kravitz did not grow up in a religious environment.{{cite news|author=Heath, Chris|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/5549844/Lenny-Kravitz-interview.html|title=Lenny Kravitz interview|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=June 16, 2009|access-date=October 14, 2012|archive-date=September 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120909132758/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/5549844/Lenny-Kravitz-interview.html|url-status=live}} After a spiritual experience when he was 13, he started attending church and later became a non-denominational Christian.{{cite web|url=http://www.bedroomsets.com.au/bedroom-sets-articles/2004/5/24/kravitz-sets-the-record-straight/|title=Kravitz Sets The Record Straight|publisher=Illawarra Mercury|date=May 24, 2004|access-date=October 14, 2012|archive-date=April 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410145036/http://www.bedroomsets.com.au/bedroom-sets-articles/2004/5/24/kravitz-sets-the-record-straight/|url-status=live}} Kravitz grew up spending weekdays on the Upper East Side of Manhattan with his parents, attending P.S. 6 for elementary school, and spending weekends at his grandmother Bessie's house in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn.{{Cite journal|last=Sandall|first=Robert|date=March 5, 1991|title=Fancy Seeing You here!|journal=Q Magazine|volume=55|pages=50–52}}

Kravitz began banging on pots and pans in the kitchen, playing them as drums at the age of three. He decided that he wanted to be a musician at the age of five. He began playing the drums and soon added guitar. He grew up listening to the music his parents listened to: R&B, jazz, classical, opera, gospel, and blues. He said, "My parents were very supportive of the fact that I loved music early on, and they took me to a lot of shows."{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Hosley|url=https://michronicleonline.com/2014/10/15/spotlight-lenny-kravitz/|title=Spotlight: Lenny Kravitz|work=Michigan Chronicle|date=October 15, 2014|access-date=May 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522041246/https://michronicleonline.com/2014/10/15/spotlight-lenny-kravitz/|archive-date=May 22, 2018|url-status=dead}}Henderson. (2002). Around the age of seven, he saw the Jackson 5 perform at Madison Square Garden, and they became his favorite performers.Hodgkinson, Will (July 5, 2002). "[https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/jul/05/artsfeatures2 Home entertainment: Lenny Kravitz] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107004735/http://www.guardian.co.uk/friday_review/story/0%2C3605%2C749062%2C00.html |date=January 7, 2008 }}". The Guardian. His father, who was a jazz promoter, was friends with Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby Short, Miles Davis, and other jazz greats; Ellington played "Happy Birthday" for him on his fifth birthday.{{cite web|first=Hardeep|last=Phull|url=https://nypost.com/2014/09/27/lenny-kravitz-my-childhood-new-york/|title=Lenny Kravitz: My childhood New York|work=New York Post|date=September 27, 2014|access-date=May 8, 2018|quote=Lenny Kravitz: "It was my fifth birthday and my parents took me to see Duke Ellington here. At the sound check, I sat on his lap and during the show, he and his band played ‘Happy Birthday’ to me."|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123112821/https://nypost.com/2014/09/27/lenny-kravitz-my-childhood-new-york/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Hosley|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/new-again-lenny-kravitz|title=NEW AGAIN: LENNY KRAVITZ|work=Interview Magazine|date=November 20, 2012|access-date=May 21, 2018|quote=Lenny Kravitz: "My dad was a producer on the side. I think he did one of Patti Austin’s first recordings, when she was around 13 years old. My dad used to take me to jazz concerts. I got to sit on Duke Ellington’s lap when he played."|archive-date=April 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401181611/https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/new-again-lenny-kravitz|url-status=live}}

In 1974, at the age of 10, Kravitz relocated to Los Angeles with his parents when his mother landed her role on The Jeffersons. At his mother's urging, he joined the California Boys Choir for three years, where he performed a classical repertoire, and sang with the Metropolitan Opera. He took part in Mahler's Third Symphony at the Hollywood Bowl. It was in Los Angeles that Kravitz was introduced to rock music, listening to the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Kiss, Pink Floyd, and the Who, and he said he was "attracted to the cool style, the girls, the rock 'n' roll lifestyle." During his junior high school years, he was also introduced to marijuana; he has stated that he was a "pothead" during his youth.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/lenny-kravitz-book-excerpt-let-love-rule-1051298/|title=Lenny Kravitz Discovers Weed and Led Zeppelin on the Same Day in New Memoir Excerpt|first=Lenny|last=Kravitz|website=Rollingstone.com|date=September 22, 2020|access-date=July 19, 2021}} His other musical influences at the time included Fela Kuti, Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, Pharoah Sanders, and Miles Davis. Later influences came in the form of John Lennon and Bob Marley. Kravitz attended Beverly Hills High School, where he was classmates with Maria McKee, Nicolas Cage, and Slash. He taught himself to play piano and bass and made friends with Zoro, who would later become his long-time collaborator.Evans, Mia "[http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/interviews/Zoro113006.aspx The Faith of Zoro] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530201302/http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/interviews/Zoro113006.aspx |date=May 30, 2016 }}". CBN.com. Retrieved on March 13, 2007. His parents divorced in 1985.{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/lenny-kravitz-honors-mother-roxie-160030704.html|title = Lenny Kravitz Honors Late Mother Roxie Roker in New Memoir Let Love Rule : 'I Was a Mama's Boy'|first=Brianne |last=Tracy|website=Yahoo.com| date=October 1, 2020 }}

With record labels reportedly telling him his music was not "black enough" or "white enough", Kravitz decided to record an album on his own under the name Romeo Blue. Kravitz had met the recording engineer, keyboardist, and bassist Henry Hirsch in 1985 when recording a demo at his Hoboken, New Jersey, recording studio. The two shared an interest in using real instruments and vintage recording equipment, as well as a love of R&B, jazz, and rock. Kravitz would go on to collaborate with Hirsch on most of his albums. Kravitz began working on his debut album with Hirsch over the next year and a half, with Kravitz's father paying for the studio time. Kravitz met saxophonist Karl Denson and invited him to play on the song "Let Love Rule". Kravitz was so impressed with his playing that Denson played on much of the album. Beginning in the late 1980s, Denson toured with Kravitz for five years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.knkx.org/jazz-and-blues/2019-03-15/the-new-cool-karl-denson-talks-kravitz-stones-skerik-sexual-chocolate-and-his-new-album|title=The New Cool: Karl Denson talks Kravitz, Stones, Skerik, Sexual Chocolate and his new album.|first=Abe|last=Beeson|date=March 15, 2019|website=Knkx.org|access-date=February 15, 2022}}

In October 1988, after completing most of the recording, Kravitz approached friend Stephen Elvis Smith, who had served as the music supervisor on Lisa Bonet's The Cosby Show spin-off A Different World. Smith had also worked with Kravitz's mother on the hit sitcom The Jeffersons. Kravitz urged Smith to manage his career and assist him in finding a record deal. In less than a month of shopping the recordings, five labels (Warner Bros, Elektra, Geffen, Capitol, and Virgin) were in a bidding war for Kravitz. Eventually, a deal was made with Virgin Records in January 1989, and signed by Virgin A&R executive Nancy Jeffries. The label was "excited" about the music he was making, music inspired by his relationship with wife Bonet and their new daughter, Zoe. On Smith's urging, Kravitz dropped the name Romeo Blue and reclaimed the Lenny Kravitz moniker. About his time as Romeo Blue, Kravitz said, "Ultimately, it got me back to myself. And when I finally did accept myself for myself, music started flowing out of me."

Kravitz released his debut album Let Love Rule in 1989, a combination of rock and funk with a 1960s vibe. Music critics were mixed: some felt Kravitz was a gifted new artist, others felt he was overpowered by his musical influences. The album was a moderate success in the United States, but became an instant hit outside of the US, especially in Europe. Lisa Bonet directed the debut music video for the title track, "Let Love Rule". Stephen Smith signed Kravitz with talent booking agency CAA, who soon were fielding offers for Kravitz, first on a club tour, and then in opening slots for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan, and David Bowie. Having played essentially all of the instruments on the album, Kravitz had to quickly assemble a touring band to support the Let Love Rule release. In May 2009, a 20th-anniversary deluxe edition of Let Love Rule was released worldwide by Virgin. Kravitz launched a LLR(20) tour of Europe and the United States in support of the re-release.«C'est chez vous que tout a commencé pour ma carrière, raconte-t-il. J'ai donné un concert aux Transmusicales de Rennes en 1989. Le lendemain, la presse était extatique. Ils avaient, en toute modestie, découvert un génie»{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Hosley|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/new-again-lenny-kravitz|title=New Again: Lenny Kravitz|work=Interview Magazine|date=November 20, 2012|access-date=May 21, 2018|quote=Lenny Kravitz: "My dad was a producer on the side. I think he did one of Patti Austin's first recordings, when she was around 13 years old. My dad used to take me to jazz concerts. I got to sit on Duke Ellington's lap when he played."|archive-date=April 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401181611/https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/new-again-lenny-kravitz|url-status=live}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/913922710 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/913918961 cite #21 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}Norment, Lynn (June 1994). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20050313171035/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n8_v49/ai_15405340 Lenny Kravitz: brother with a different beat – musician]". Ebony. Retrieved on August 19, 2007. {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/913922710 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/913918961 cite #20 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. User:GreenC bot/Job 18}}

File:Lenny Kravitz - Craig Ross - Rock in Rio Madrid 2012 - 02.jpg during a concert]]

In 1990, Kravitz produced the song "Justify My Love" for Madonna, which he co-wrote with Ingrid Chavez. The song appeared on her greatest hits album The Immaculate Collection.

Kravitz separated from Lisa Bonet in 1991,"Behind The Music: Lenny Kravitz". (1999). amid rumors of an affair between him and Madonna. Kravitz has denied any infidelity. Kravitz and Bonet divorced in 1993. Kravitz produced the self-titled album Vanessa Paradis (1991) for French singer and actress Vanessa Paradis. He played most of the instruments and co-wrote most of the songs on the album.

In 1991, Kravitz released his second album, Mama Said. The songs on the album were about Bonet and documented his depression over their breakup.Norment, Lynn (June 1994). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20050313171035/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n8_v49/ai_15405340 Lenny Kravitz: brother with a different beat – musician]". Ebony. Retrieved on August 19, 2007. The single, "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over", went to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. A second single "Always on the Run", a tribute to his mother, featured Slash on guitar. "Stand by My Woman" and "What Goes Around Comes Around" followed. Sean Lennon co-wrote and played piano on the song "All I Ever Wanted".

In 1994, Kravitz recorded "Main Squeeze" with Teena Marie from her Passion Play CD. Kravitz also made a video to pay tribute to Teena Marie when she suddenly died on December 26, 2010. He recorded a funk-rock version of the song "Deuce" for the KISS cover album Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved. The track featured Stevie Wonder on harmonica and background vocals.{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA12 |magazine=Billboard|title=Stars Kiss Up on Forthcoming Mercury Tribute Compilation|first=Jim |last= Bessman|date=April 23, 1994|page=12|access-date=May 23, 2024}}

With 5 (1998), Kravitz won the first of his four consecutive Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards of 1999. In 1999 he produced and sang with Cree Summer on her solo album Street Faërie.

His cover version of the Guess Who's hit "American Woman" won him another Grammy at the Grammy Awards of 2000 and helped the Guess Who's song reach a new audience. Kravitz's version of the song originally came from the soundtrack of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and was added to 5 as a bonus track in 1999. Kravitz worked on two songs for Michael Jackson's Invincible album released in 2001; a snippet of "Another Day" was leaked, and the full version was officially released on the album Michael in 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igl53o-Csys|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708110325/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igl53o-Csys|url-status=dead|title=YouTube|archive-date=July 8, 2015|website=Youtube.com}}

Kravitz released a Greatest Hits album in 2000. The single "Again" earned him his third consecutive Grammy for the Best Male Rock Vocal in the Grammy Awards of 2001.

File:Lenny Kravitz - Rock in Rio Madrid 2012 - 29 (cropped).jpg

In January 2006, Kravitz contributed "Breathe" to absoluttracks, a project sponsored by Absolut Vodka. This song was re-mixed by ten musical producers and distributed via the internet. Kravitz appeared in the audience of Madonna's Confessions Tour (2006) during numerous shows. He later joined Madonna live on stage to play guitar on the song, "I Love New York", at the last of four Paris shows. Kravitz founded a design firm named Kravitz Design, stating if he hadn't been a musician he would have been a designer. Kravitz Design, focused on interior and furniture design, has designed residential spaces, as well as a chandelier for the crystal company Swarovski, named "Casino Royale".Marin, Rick (July 21, 2005). "[https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/21/garden/21star.html?ei=5090&en=36c2615092d98ec2&ex=1279598400&adxnnl=1& But What I Really Want to Do Is Design] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511223015/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/21/garden/21star.html?ei=5090&en=36c2615092d98ec2&ex=1279598400&adxnnl=1& |date=May 11, 2015 }}". The New York Times. Retrieved on March 15, 2007.

On July 7, 2007, Kravitz performed at the Brazilian leg of Live Earth in Rio de Janeiro,{{cite web|url=http://liveearth.msn.com/artists/lennykravitz |title=Live Earth on MSN: The Concerts For A Climate In Crisis |website=Liveearth.msn.com |access-date=September 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007054245/http://www.liveearth.msn.com/artists/lennykravitz |archive-date=October 7, 2008 }} making him one of three major international rock stars to perform two huge free concerts at the world-famous Copacabana Beach along with Macy Gray and the Rolling Stones. Kravitz had already played there on March 21, 2005, drawing 300,000 people on a concert of his own. The Live Earth concert, with eight other acts on the bill, including Pharrell and Macy Gray had an audience of 400,000 on the beach. Also in 2007, Kravitz released a version of "Cold Turkey" by John Lennon on the charity CD Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur. Kravitz also spent time recording his latest album, It Is Time for a Love Revolution, released February 5, 2008.Vozick-Levinson, Simon (July 13, 2007). "[https://ew.com/article/2007/07/13/back-action-lenny-kravitz/ Back In Action: Lenny Kravitz] ". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on August 19, 2007. On September 25, 2007, the Fats Domino tribute album Goin' Home; A Tribute To Fats Domino was released. Kravitz was on the song "Whole Lotta Lovin'" along with Rebirth Brass Band, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, and Maceo Parker.{{cite press release|url=http://www.tipitinasfoundation.org/advance/2007/fats/cd/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070729073949/http://www.tipitinasfoundation.org/advance/2007/fats/cd/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 29, 2007|title=Music royalty comes together to pay tribute to Fats Domino on new CD GOIN' HOME: A Tribute to Fats Domino|publisher= Tipitina's Foundation |date=July 29, 2007|access-date=September 13, 2018}}

Kravitz made his feature film acting debut in Precious{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Michael|title=Lee Daniels to direct 'Push'|newspaper=Variety|date=October 29, 2007|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/lee-daniels-to-direct-push-2-1117974944/|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=August 16, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816011832/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117974944.html?categoryid=13&cs=1|url-status=live}} which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2009.{{cite news|last=McCarthy|first=Todd|title=Sundance unveils competition lineup|newspaper=Variety|date=December 3, 2008|url=https://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=2470&articleid=VR1117996739&cs=1|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205011702/http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=2470&articleid=VR1117996739&cs=1|url-status=live}}

File:Lenny Kravitz - Rock in Rio Madrid 2012 - 32.jpg

In June 2010 it was announced that Kravitz would guest star on an episode of the upcoming season of Entourage.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Diddy-Kravitz-Entourage-1019723.aspx|title=Diddy and Lenny Kravitz Book Appearances on Entourage|website=TVGuide.com|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=January 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101220303/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Diddy-Kravitz-Entourage-1019723.aspx|url-status=live}}

In 2011 Kravitz was honored with one of the highest cultural awards in France when he was made an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by French cultural minister Frederic Mitterrand in Paris. Kravitz stated he was "particularly touched" to receive the award in France as his success in the country pre-dated his success in the United States and still enjoys great record sales in the country today.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15981419|title=Lenny Kravitz accepts French honour|website=BBC.co.uk|date=December 1, 2011|access-date=December 31, 2011|archive-date=December 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210004748/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15981419|url-status=live}} Kravitz joined other American recipients such as Martin Scorsese, George Clooney, and Bob Dylan. On February 26, 2012, he performed at the Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500, the opening race of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. A sample of "Are You Gonna Go My Way" was used in American singer Chris Willis's single "Too Much In Love", released on August 16, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/too-much-in-love-single/457816163|title=iTunes – Music – Too Much In Love – Single by Chris Willis|website=iTunes|date=August 16, 2011|access-date=April 14, 2012|archive-date=April 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425063811/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/too-much-in-love-single/id457816163|url-status=live}}

File:Katy Perry - Super Bowl XLIX Halftime 05.jpg at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show]]

Lenny Kravitz played the part of Katniss' creative stylist, Cinna, in the first two Hunger Games films, The Hunger Games released on March 23, 2012{{cite web|url=http://hunger-games.net/?p=1882 |title=Lenny Kravitz cast as Cinna in The Hunger Games |website=Hunger-games.net|date=May 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527085827/http://hunger-games.net/?p=1882 |archive-date=May 27, 2011 }} and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire released on November 22, 2013.

In 2014 Lenny Kravitz released his tenth studio album Strut on his own Roxie Records via Kobalt Label Services.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6062935/lenny-kravitz-releasing-new-album-strut-in-september-through-kobalt-label|title=Lenny Kravitz Releasing New Album 'Strut' in September Through Kobalt Label Services|first=Andy|last=Gensler|website=Billboard.com|date=April 24, 2014|access-date=July 30, 2014|archive-date=July 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706113558/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6062935/lenny-kravitz-releasing-new-album-strut-in-september-through-kobalt-label|url-status=live}} In 2015, Kravitz performed alongside Katy Perry at the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/lenny-kravitz-super-bowl-style|title=Lenny Kravitz Rocks the Super Bowl in Head-to-Toe Saint Laurent|first=David|last=Bazner|date=February 2, 2015|website=GQ}}{{Cite web|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/02/01/katy-perry-lenny-kravitz-halftime-show-i-kissed-a-girl/82107324007/|title=Why did Lenny Kravitz only perform 'I Kissed A Girl' with Katy Perry?|first=Avery|last=Stone|website=For The Win|date=February 1, 2015}}

During an August 2015 show in Stockholm, Kravitz experienced a wardrobe malfunction. His leather pants ripped open, exposing his penis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2015/aug/05/lenny-kravitz-how-easy-is-it-to-rip-leather-trousers|title=Lenny Kravitz: how easy is it to rip leather trousers?|first=Morwenna|last=Ferrier|work=The Guardian |date=August 5, 2015}}{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/style/lenny-kravitz-talks-going-commando-stockholm-wardrobe-malfunction/|title=Lenny Kravitz Admits He Still Skips Underwear - Despite 'Penis Gate' Controversy|website=People.com|last=Petit|first=Stephanie |date=December 14, 2017}}

As a designer, Kravitz launched a furniture collection in partnership with CB2 in 2015.{{Cite web|title = Lenny Kravitz's Crate & Barrel CB2 Furniture Line Is Kind of Great|url = https://www.yahoo.com/makers/lenny-kravitz-s-crate-barrel-c1254160823992374.html|website = www.yahoo.com|access-date = September 11, 2015}}{{dead link|date=July 2016}}

File:DNC 2016 - Lenny Kravitz.jpeg]]

In 2015, he became a furniture designer for the first time ever launching a collection of furniture products marketed under the label CB2 x Kravitz design through retailer CB2.{{cite web|url=https://www.cb2.com/kravitz-design-collaboration/design-collabs/1|title=CB2 x Kravitz Design Furniture & Home Decor|website=CB2|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-date=August 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806054534/https://www.cb2.com/kravitz-design-collaboration/design-collabs/1|url-status=live}} The collection was apparently inspired by the 70s and by the work of Italian designer Gabriella Crespi.{{Cite news|url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/lenny-kravitz-cb2-furniture-article|title=Lenny Kravitz Collaborates with CB2 on a Home Line {{!}} Architectural Digest|work=Architectural Digest|first=Hannah |last=Martin|date=September 21, 2015|access-date=August 5, 2018|language=en|archive-date=August 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806024614/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/lenny-kravitz-cb2-furniture-article|url-status=live}}

The Raise Vibration world tour{{cite web|url=http://teamrock.com/news/2018-01-22/lenny-kravitz-adds-dates-to-his-european-tour|title=Lenny Kravitz adds dates to his European tour|first= Scott|last=Munro|website=Teamrock.com|date=January 22, 2018|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-date=February 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226043503/http://teamrock.com/news/2018-01-22/lenny-kravitz-adds-dates-to-his-european-tour|url-status=live}} (2018) coincided with the release of his 11th studio album.{{cite web |last1=Lifton |first1=Dave |title=Lenny Kravitz is set to release his 11th studio album, Raise Vibration, on Sept. 7. |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/lenny-kravitz-raise-vibration-its-enough/ |website=Ultimateclassicrock.com |date=May 11, 2018 |access-date=June 26, 2018 |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626164316/http://ultimateclassicrock.com/lenny-kravitz-raise-vibration-its-enough/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lenny-kravitz-talks-overcoming-dry-spell-for-new-album-raise-vibration-w519119|title=Lenny Kravitz Talks Overcoming Dry Spell for New Album 'Raise Vibration'|first=David|last=Browne|date=April 17, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-date=June 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619062729/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lenny-kravitz-talks-overcoming-dry-spell-for-new-album-raise-vibration-w519119|url-status=live}}

In April 2018, Kravitz signed with BMG Rights Management for a new worldwide publishing music deal to go with his new album Raise Vibration, released in September 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/lenny-kravitz-signs-with-bmg-to-release-new-album|title=Lenny Kravitz signs with BMG to release new album - Complete Music Update|website=Completemusicupdate.com|first=Chris|last=Cooke|date=April 18, 2018|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-date=April 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420135951/http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/lenny-kravitz-signs-with-bmg-to-release-new-album/|url-status=live}} BMG had acquired Kravitz's music publishing rights in 2013, as part of Virgin Music Publishing.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2012/music/news/bmg-acquires-virgin-music-catalog-1118063922|title=BMG acquires Virgin Music catalog|first=Chris|last=Morris|date=December 21, 2012|website=Variety|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-date=September 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913223524/https://variety.com/2012/music/news/bmg-acquires-virgin-music-catalog-1118063922/|url-status=live}}

File:Untold 2024 - Lenny Kravitz.jpg in 2024]]

In 2023, Kravitz wrote and performed a song for the film Rustin entitled "Road to Freedom". The song was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Rustin |url=https://goldenglobes.com/film/rustin/ |access-date=December 24, 2023 |website=Golden Globe Awards}} In December 2023, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced shortlists for the 96th Oscars ceremony, and "Road to Freedom" was included in the Best Original Song category."96th Oscars Shortlists in 10 Award Categories Announced". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023. Kravitz won Music Icon of the Year at the 49th People's Choice Awards.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/lenny-kravitz-rocks-icon-set-peoples-choice-awards-1235609500/|title=Lenny Kravitz Rocks Out With 'Icon' Set at People's Choice Awards|last=Brandle|first=Lars|magazine=Billboard|date=February 18, 2024|access-date=February 19, 2024}} In March 2024, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On May 24, 2024, he released his 12th album, Blue Electric Light, which was supported by a world tour with the same name.

Kravitz has partnered with Leica on two occasions: in 2015, a Leica M-P edition titled "The Correspondent", and again in 2019 with a Monochrom edition titled "Drifter".{{cite web |author1=Zhang, Michael |title=This Leica M-P 'Correspondent' Edition Was Designed by Lenny Kravitz |url=https://us.leica-camera.com/Company/Press-Centre/Press-Releases/2015/Press-Release-Special-limited-edition-LEICA-M-P-%E2%80%98CORRESPONDENT%E2%80%99-SET-CREATED-BY-LENNY-KRAVITZ-FOR-KRAVITZ-DESIGN |website=PetaPixel |access-date=September 18, 2019 |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218175359/https://us.leica-camera.com/Company/Press-Centre/Press-Releases/2015/Press-Release-Special-limited-edition-LEICA-M-P-%E2%80%98CORRESPONDENT%E2%80%99-SET-CREATED-BY-LENNY-KRAVITZ-FOR-KRAVITZ-DESIGN |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://leica-camera.com/en-US/Company/Press-Centre/Press-Releases/2019-not-urgent-translatable/Press-Release-%E2%80%98Drifter%E2%80%99-%E2%80%93-a-unique-exhibition-of-works-by-Lenny-Kravitz|title='Drifter' – a unique exhibition of works by Lenny Kravitz | Leica Camera US|website=leica-camera.com}}

Kravitz Design is a New York City–based company founded by Kravitz in 2003.{{cite news|last=Marin|first=Rick|title=But What I Really Want to Do is Design|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/21/garden/21star.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 21, 2005|access-date=April 28, 2011|archive-date=May 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501105952/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/21/garden/21star.html|url-status=live}} Kravitz Design focuses on commercial, residential and product creative direction and design.

Among its clients are the Morgans Hotel Group, Swarovski Crystal, and The Setai Group.{{cite news|last=Hagwood|first=Alex|title=Zoe and Lenny Kravitz: Actor and Designer/Musician|newspaper=The New York Times Magazine|date=Spring 2008}} Swarovski selected Kravitz Design in 2005 and 2006 to participate in their Crystal Palace Collection.{{cite news|last=Paoletta|first=Michael|title=Crystal Palace Collection|newspaper=Billboard|date=July 2005}} Kravitz Design also envisioned a luxury recording studio for The Setai Resort and Residences in Miami Beach, New York, Paris, and New Orleans.{{cite news|last=Edgar|first=Michelle|title=A Different Groove|newspaper=Women's Wear Daily|date=September 2008}} In 2010, Kravitz Design collaborated with Flavor Paper wallpaper on the Tropicalismo Collection, a line inspired by Brazil's Tropicalia art movement of the late 1960s.{{cite news|newspaper=Vogue Living|title=Kravtiz Design Inc : Tropicalismo Collection|date=Jan–Feb 2011}}

File:Zoe Kravitz and Lenny Kravitz at the 25th Spirit Awards (cropped).jpg in March 2010]]

In 1985, Kravitz met actress Lisa Bonet backstage at a concert in California.{{Cite magazine |last=Wright |first=Christian |date=July 1990 |title=Let Lenny Rule |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fTAxVGMigAYC&pg=PA62 |magazine=SPIN Magazine |page=62 |access-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-date=May 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531054305/https://books.google.com/books?id=fTAxVGMigAYC&pg=PA62 |url-status=live }} They were close friends for two years before beginning a relationship. In 1987, Kravitz moved back to New York City, to move in with Bonet.{{cite web|title=Lenny Kravitz On His Post-Divorce Relationship With Lisa Bonet: We're 'Best Friends'|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/01/lenny-kravitz-lisa-bonet-divorce_n_3368400.html|website=Huffington Post|date=June 2013|access-date=May 9, 2015|archive-date=May 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518084904/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/01/lenny-kravitz-lisa-bonet-divorce_n_3368400.html|url-status=live}} They eloped in Las Vegas on November 16, 1987, her 20th birthday. Kravitz, still known as Romeo Blue at the time, found himself in the headlines of tabloids. He and Bonet had a daughter, Zoë Isabella Kravitz, on December 1, 1988,{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/person/1465139/Zoe-Kravitz/biography |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709222751/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/1465139/Zoe-Kravitz/biography |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 9, 2011 |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=The New York Times |date=2011 |title=Zoe Kravitz. Alternate Name: Zoe Isabella Kravitz|access-date=April 19, 2014}} who became an actress, singer and model. Kravitz and Bonet separated in 1991. They divorced amicably in 1993.

Kravitz dated French singer and model Vanessa Paradis from 1991 to 1996.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gala.fr/l_actu/news_de_stars/vanessa-paradis-ses-confidences-sur-sa-relation-avec-lenny-kravitz_439654 |title=Vanessa Paradis: ses confidences sur sa relation avec Lenny Kravitz |date=December 11, 2019 |website=Gala.fr |language=fr |access-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223202527/https://www.gala.fr/l_actu/news_de_stars/vanessa-paradis-ses-confidences-sur-sa-relation-avec-lenny-kravitz_439654 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.purepeople.com/article/lenny-kravitz-j-etais-fou-amoureux-de-vanessa-paradis_a29199/1 |title=Lenny Kravitz: "J'étais fou amoureux de Vanessa Paradis"... |date=April 15, 2009 |website=Pure People |language=fr |access-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223202527/https://www.purepeople.com/article/lenny-kravitz-j-etais-fou-amoureux-de-vanessa-paradis_a29199/1 |url-status=live }} He began dating Brazilian model Adriana Lima in 2001,{{cite web|url=http://www.terra.com.br/istoegente/211/reportagens/capa_adriana_lima_01.htm|title=A princesa da moda|work=ISTOÉ Gente|language=pt|date=August 18, 2003|access-date=November 24, 2016|archive-date=August 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801141111/http://www.terra.com.br/istoegente/211/reportagens/capa_adriana_lima_01.htm|url-status=live}} and they lived together before becoming engaged in 2002. The engagement was called off in August 2003.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/lenny-kravitz-the-star-is-born-again-231577/ |title=Lenny Kravitz: The Star Is Born Again |last=Edwards |first=Gavin |date=June 24, 2004 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=December 23, 2019 |archive-date=December 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222232100/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/lenny-kravitz-the-star-is-born-again-231577/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id=(%200F775010F849D222%20)&p_docid=0F775010F849D222&p_theme=aggdocs&p_queryname=0F775010F849D222&f_openurl=y|title=Movie Moguls Let Fur Fly, Too|access-date=March 7, 2009|date=November 17, 2002|work=New York Post|archive-date=May 26, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526053146/https://www.webcitation.org/6APedpy2Z?url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb%3Fp_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id%3D(%200F775010F849D222%20)&p_docid=0F775010F849D222&p_theme=aggdocs&p_queryname=0F775010F849D222&f_openurl=y|url-status=live}} Lima was featured in the music video for Kravitz's 2002 single "Yesterday Is Gone (My Dear Kay)".{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zGJZSvuBfI&t=80 |title=Lenny Kravitz - Yesterday Is Gone (My Dear Kay) |date=May 6, 2011 |website=YouTube |access-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602010458/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zGJZSvuBfI&t=80 |url-status=live }} He briefly dated and was engaged to Australian actress Nicole Kidman from 2003 to 2004.{{Cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/hook-ups-break-ups/nicole-kidman-reveals-she-was-engaged-to-lenny-kravitz-before-meeting-keith-urban/news-story/1349ffd423674e96662b24478e3c21da|title=Nicole Kidman reveals engagement we never knew about|newspaper=NewsComAu|access-date=February 17, 2017|language=en|archive-date=July 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705030310/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/hook-ups-break-ups/nicole-kidman-reveals-she-was-engaged-to-lenny-kravitz-before-meeting-keith-urban/news-story/1349ffd423674e96662b24478e3c21da|url-status=live}}

Kravitz identifies himself as a Christian in a religious sense "through choice" but stated: "I'm also a Jew. It's all the same to me."{{cite news|title=Bursting rock's balloon|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/K/Kravitz_Lenny/1996/02/05/746706.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713061246/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/K/Kravitz_Lenny/1996/02/05/746706.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 13, 2012|access-date=November 29, 2007|date=February 5, 1996|first=Jane|last=Stevenson|publisher=Jam!/Canoe}} During another interview, he stated: "I'm half Jewish, I'm half black, I look in-between."{{cite news|url=http://www.lenny-kravitz.com/interviewdeepjoy.html|access-date=November 29, 2007|website=Lenny-kravitz.com|year=1998|first=Tracey|last=Pepper|title=Lenny's 5|archive-date=January 3, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103154906/http://www.lenny-kravitz.com/interviewdeepjoy.html|url-status=live}} He notes that spirituality "has been an important issue in [his] growth", citing his upbringing by parents of different faiths.{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4495463|title=Lenny Kravitz Takes Spiritual Turn on 'Baptism'|publisher=NPR|access-date=November 29, 2007|first=Scott|last=Simon|date=February 12, 2005|archive-date=October 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017225138/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4495463|url-status=live}} Such spirituality is prominently featured in many of his songs, such as the lyrics on his album Baptism, and a tattoo on his back which is inscribed with "My Heart Belongs to Jesus Christ".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/glimpses/2004/baptism.html |title=Glimpses of God: Lenny Kravitz / Baptism |first=Russ |last=Breimeier |access-date=November 29, 2007 |year=2004 |magazine=Christianity Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114192343/http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/glimpses/2004/baptism.html |archive-date=November 14, 2007 |url-status=live }} In 2011, he stated that his 2005 religious commitment to remain celibate until remarriage was unchanged. In a 2014 interview with Men's Health, however, he reconsidered his previous stance.{{Cite web|url=https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a19522804/lenny-kravitz-interview/|title=Lenny Kravitz Wants To Help You Make Babies|first1=Per|last1=Gustafson|first2=J.|last2=Rentilly|date=November 20, 2014|website=Men's Health|access-date=October 2, 2019|archive-date=October 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002162212/https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a19522804/lenny-kravitz-interview/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Lenny Kravitz interview|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/5549844/Lenny-Kravitz-interview.html|access-date=September 24, 2014|date=June 16, 2009|first=Chris|last=Heath|archive-date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010112125/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/5549844/Lenny-Kravitz-interview.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=10 Minutes with... Lenny Kravitz|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/10-minutes-with--lenny-kravitz-6434455.html|access-date=September 24, 2014|date=August 18, 2011|first=Lucy|last=Hunter Johnston|archive-date=November 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116221024/http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/10-minutes-with--lenny-kravitz-6434455.html|url-status=live}} In 2024, Kravitz reaffirmed his desire to remain celibate once again, stating that it was his father's infidelity that inspired him to make a change. "After the marriage, [to ex-wife Lisa Bonet] I became more like him. I was becoming a player... I didn't like it. I didn't want to be that guy. So I had to tackle that and it took years... by taking responsibility. Discipline. Not letting my own desires take over."{{cite web |last1=Hattenstone |first1=Simon |title='I did a 90-minute workout at 2am!': Lenny Kravitz on sex, spliffs and staying gorgeous at 60 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/may/30/lenny-kravitz-interview-blue-electric-light |website=The Guardian |access-date=September 3, 2024 |date=May 30, 2024}} Kravitz stated in the same interview that he had not been in a romantic relationship for 9 years at that point.{{cite web |last1=Madani |first1=Doda |title=Lenny Kravitz may bare all in his music video, but he's been celibate for 9 years |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/lenny-kravitz-may-bare-music-video-celibate-9-years-rcna154703 |website=NBC News |access-date=September 3, 2024 |date=May 30, 2024}}

He owns a house in Paris,{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MffVSYgHx28 |title=The house the funk built: At home with Lenny Kravitz |website=YouTube |date=June 26, 2019 |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=February 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211202138/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MffVSYgHx28 |url-status=live }} a farm compound in Brazil,{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlsKjWqu82k |title=Inside Lenny Kravitz's Brazilian Farm Compound |website=YouTube |date=April 17, 2019 |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=July 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705030406/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlsKjWqu82k |url-status=live }} and a trailer with the surrounding land in The Bahamas.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU7wsg_6DX4 |title=Lenny Kravitz Shows His Gym & Fridge |website=YouTube |date=October 2020 |access-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127015622/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU7wsg_6DX4 |url-status=live }}

He follows veganism{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Guy |title=An eight-pack, black loo roll and still broody – this is Lenny Kravitz |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/mens-style/eight-pack-black-toilet-rolls-not-opposed-children-lenny-kravitz/ |newspaper=The Telegraph |access-date=October 5, 2020 |date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005220750/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/mens-style/eight-pack-black-toilet-rolls-not-opposed-children-lenny-kravitz/ |url-status=live }} with a primarily raw vegan diet, and uses his land in Brazil and The Bahamas to grow his own food. PETA named Kravitz one of the Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities of 2022.Hannah Dailey, "Lenny Kravitz & Anitta Named PETA's Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities of 2022: Exclusive", [https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lenny-kravitz-anitta-peta-most-beautiful-vegan-celebrities-2022-1235114165/ Billboard.com] July 14, 2022.

On August 25, 2001, singer and actress Aaliyah died in a plane crash in the Bahamas, following the ending of the video shoot to single "Rock the Boat". When the video's choreographer Fatima Robinson and dancers were too afraid to get on their plane to get back to the United States, Kravitz (Robinson's friend) sent his private jet to bring them home.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/alex-ocho/aaliyah-former-dancer-planes-sketchy|title=Aaliyah's Former Dancer Says the 'Planes Felt Sketchy' in Moments Leading Up to Singer's Death|website=Complex|last=Ocho|first=Alex|date=April 13, 2025|access-date=April 16, 2025}}

A street have been named after Lenny Kravitz in Saint-Jean-d'Heurs, a rural commune of France.{{cite web|url=https://adresse.data.gouv.fr/carte-base-adresse-nationale?id=63364_8ww0co#45.810450_3.447650_15.84|title=Rue Lenny Kravitz - Saint-Jean-d'Heurs (63364)|publisher=https://adresse.data.gouv.fr|date=October 8, 2023|access-date=June 2, 2025}}

{{Main|Lenny Kravitz discography}}

Studio albums

• Let Love Rule (1989)
• Mama Said (1991)
• Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993)
• Circus (1995)
• 5 (1998)
• Lenny (2001)
• Baptism (2004)
• It Is Time for a Love Revolution (2008)
• Black and White America (2011)
• Strut (2014)
• Raise Vibration (2018)
• Blue Electric Light (2024)

{{Incomplete list|date=February 2012}}

• Let Love Rule Tour (1990)
• There Is Only One Truth Tour (1991)
• Universal Love Tour (1993)
• Are You Gonna Go My Way Tour (1994) (opening for The Rolling Stones)
• Circus Tour (1995–96)
• The Freedom Tour (1998–99)
• Lenny Tour (2002)
• The Baptism Tour (2004)
• Celebration Tour (2005)
• Electric Church Tour: One Night Only (2005)
• Get on the Bus Mini-Tour (2008)
• Love Revolution Tour (2008)
• LLR 20(09) Tour (2009)
• Black and White Tour (2011)
• Strut Tour (2014–15)
• Raise Vibration Tour (2018–19)
• Here to Love Tour (2020)
• Blue Electric Light Tour (2024–25)

{{award table}}

|-

| rowspan=3|1993

| "Are You Gonna Go My Way"

| Top Album Rock Track

| {{nom}}

|-

| rowspan=4|Himself

| Top Album Rock Tracks Artist

| {{nom}}

|-

| rowspan=2|Top Modern Rock Tracks Artist

| {{nom}}

|-

| rowspan=3|1999

| {{nom}}

|-

| Top Hot 100 Artist - Male

| {{nom}}

|-

| "Fly Away"

| Top Mainstream Rock Track

| {{nom}}

|-

| rowspan=2|2001

| rowspan=2|Himself

| Top Male Artist

| {{nom}}

|-

| Top Billboard 200 Artist - Male

| {{nom}}

{{end}}

• :Category:Works by Lenny Kravitz
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Modern Rock chart
• List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
• List of artists who reached number one on the Australian singles chart
• List of blues musicians
• List of Gibson players
• List of Number 1 albums from the 1990s (UK)
• List of Number 1 singles from the 1990s (UK)
• List of performers on Top of the Pops
• List of Saturday Night Live hosts and musical guests

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• di Martino, Dave. Singer-songwriters: Pop music's performer-composers, from A to Zevon, Billboard Books, 1994.
• Gregory, Hugh. 1000 Great Guitarists: Rock, Jazz, Country, Funk ..., Balafon Books, 1994.
• la Blanc, Michael (ed.). Contemporary musicians, Vol. 5, Gale Research, 1991.
• Larkin, Colin. The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Guinness Publishing, 1992.
• Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 5th edition, Watson-Guptill Publications, 1992.

• Anderson, Ashely (November 9, 2000). "Brown eyes blue". The Silhouette. Volume 71, Number 12. Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
• Cooper, Carol (1990). "Let love rule – Lisa Bonet and husband Lenny Kravitz". Essence. Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
• Halbersberg, Elianne (November 1, 2004). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20070527133206/http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_flying_almost_solo/ Flying (Almost) Solo]". Mix. Retrieved on March 13, 2007.
• "Behind the Music: Lenny Kravitz". Harper, William & Williams, Paulina (Directors). Behind the Music. VH1. June 27, 1999. Season 2, no. 35.
• Henderson, Ashyia N. (2002). Contemporary Black Biography: Profiles from the International Black Community. Gale Group. {{ISBN|978-0-7876-6049-9}}.
• Pepper, Tracey (July 1998). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20071114015726/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1285/is_n7_v28/ai_20870216/pg_2 Deep joy – musical artist Lenny Kravitz – Interview]". Retrieved on March 12, 2007.
• "[https://web.archive.org/web/20070423002231/http://www.emimusicpub.com/worldwide/artist_profile/lenny-kravitz_profile.html Artist Profile – Lenny Kravitz]". EMI Music Publishing. Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
• "[http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/lennykravitz/ HELLO! Profiles – Lenny Kravitz]". Hello!. Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
• {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4708|tab=biography|label=Biography of Lenny Kravitz|first=Greg|last=Prato|access-date=September 19, 2007}}
• "[https://web.archive.org/web/20070320224858/http://www.irscorner.com/r/rblue.html Romeo Blue Discography, Biography and Links]". Mr. Bill's I.R.S. Records Corner. Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
• Scarlett MacDougal's book series "Have a Nice Life", refers to the main girl's "intergalactic angel/fairy godmother" as a Lenny Kravitz lookalike, though his actual name is Clarence Terence. {{ISBN|0-14-131020-0}}

{{Commons category|Lenny Kravitz}}

• {{official website}}
• [http://taorganization.com/ Lenny Kravitz – The Artists Organization – Management]
• {{MusicBrainz artist|id=0ef3f425-9bd2-4216-9dd2-219d2fe90f1f}}
• {{discogs artist|63332}}
• {{IMDb name|5107}}
• [http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/426/lenny_kravitz_ice_ice_lenny/ "Lenny Kravitz: Ice Ice Lenny"]—interview by Pete Lewis, Blues & Soul no. 1096, July 2009

{{s-start}}

{{s-ach}}

|-

! colspan="3" style="background: #DAA520;"|Grammy Award

|-

{{succession box

|title = Best Male Rock Vocal Performance

|years = 1999
for "Fly Away"

|before= Bob Dylan
for "Cold Irons Bound"

|after = Lenny Kravitz
for "American Woman"

}}

{{succession box

|title = Best Male Rock Vocal Performance

|years = 2000
for "American Woman"

|before= Lenny Kravitz
for "Fly Away"

|after = Lenny Kravitz
for "Again"

}}

{{succession box

|title = Best Male Rock Vocal Performance

|years = 2001
for "Again"

|before= Lenny Kravitz
for "American Woman"

|after = Lenny Kravitz
for "Dig In"

}}

{{succession box

|title = Best Male Rock Vocal Performance

|years = 2002
for "Dig In"

|before= Lenny Kravitz
for "Again"

|after = Bruce Springsteen
for "The Rising"

}}

|-

! colspan="3" style="background: #DAA520;"|MTV Video Music Awards

|-

{{succession box

|title = Best Male Video

|years = 1993
for "Are You Gonna Go My Way"

|before= Eric Clapton
for "Tears in Heaven"

|after = Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
for "Mary Jane's Last Dance"

}}

{{s-end}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Grey Cup Halftime Show|years=2007}}

{{s-aft|after=Theory of a Deadman}}

{{s-end}}

{{Lenny Kravitz|state=expanded}}

{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for Lenny Kravitz

|list =

{{American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist}}

{{Brit International Male}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

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