Current:Home > InvestLenny Kravitz honored with music icon award at People's Choice Awards, gives powerful speech-InfoLens
Lenny Kravitz honored with music icon award at People's Choice Awards, gives powerful speech
View Date:2024-12-23 11:34:01
People's Choice Awards music icon award honoree Lenny Kravitz rocked the stage Sunday night.
Kravitz, 59, performed a short set of his hits and gave a powerful speech on the meaning of the word "icon."
Dressed in an all-black leather ensemble, the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee and his band performed a medley of his songs "Fly Away," "TK421," "It Ain't Over Til It's Over," "Let Love Rule" and "Are You Gonna Go My Way."
Following his performance, Victoria Monét presented him with the award, calling Kravitz a "gentle giant spirit" and the "coolest man on the planet."
"We are here to celebrate an undefinable, undeniable, once-in-a-lifetime genius; he is a force," she said. "He defies any singular description. Father, singer, songwriter, producer, kick-ass stage performer, actor, designer, fashion maven, philanthropist, visionary and the king of letting love rule."
Kravitz joined Monét onstage to accept the award.
"When I was thinking about what to say tonight, I kept going back to that word 'icon,'" Kravitz said. "It means a lot of things to a lot of people. To me, it means you've made an indelible mark by being who God created you to be. And, daring to be different.
"When I was first coming up, a lot of people offered me a lot of deals. But they wanted me to change. My music wasn't Black enough, it wasn't white enough. It didn't fit nicely inside a box or sound like what was on the radio at the time," he continued. "I turned down the money and the glitzy promises of fame and stardom because I couldn't live with myself doing something inauthentic."
An icon, he added, "is someone who inspires and teaches others to believe in themselves and their direction whatever that direction is."
Kravitz did it his way, debuting with "Let Love Rule" in 1989, inspired by his relationship with then-wife Lisa Bonet and their daughter, Zoë Kravitz. He has since released 10 albums and sold more than 40 million records.
"It's never been about how many records I sell or how many awards I win. It's not about trying to write hits or being calculated or formulaic," the musician said. "It's about enjoying and being grateful for the journey and using the gifts that God gave you, and that journey goes how it goes. And it will continue because I'm just doing me."
Kravitz shared his mantra as words of wisdom with the audience: "Never follow the trends, set your own pace and recognize that the best is here, right now, in front of you."
Adam Sandler was also honored award show with the icon award. The actor-comedian was introduced by longtime pal and "Murder Mystery 2" co-star Jennifer Aniston.
Contributing: Edward Segarra
Lenny Kravitz,Cher, Mariah Carey top the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2024 nominee list
veryGood! (24)
Related
- Louisiana House greenlights Gov. Jeff Landry’s tax cuts
- NFL preseason winners, losers: Trey Lance remains a puzzle for Cowboys
- Blake Lively Celebrates Birthday With Taylor Swift and More Stars at Singer's Home
- Dallas Cowboys CB DaRon Bland out with stress fracture in foot, needs surgery
- Deebo Samuel explains 'out of character' sideline altercation with 49ers long snapper, kicker
- Bachelor Nation's Kaitlyn Bristowe Alludes to Tension With Tayshia Adams Over Zac Clark
- Don't get tricked: How to check if your Social Security number was part of data breach
- ‘We were expendable': Downwinders from world’s 1st atomic test are on a mission to tell their story
- The Stanley x LoveShackFancy Collaboration That Sold Out in Minutes Is Back for Part 2—Don’t Miss Out!
- Kamala Harris’ Favorability Is Sky High Among Young Voters in Battleground States
Ranking
- Powerball winning numbers for November 11 drawing: Jackpot hits $103 million
- TikToker Jools Lebron Shuts Down Haters With Very Demure Response
- Hurricane Hone sweeps past Hawaii, dumping enough rain to ease wildfire fears
- Man distraught over planned sale of late mother’s home fatally shoots 4 family members and himself
- She's a trans actress and 'a warrior.' Now, this 'Emilia Pérez' star could make history.
- Go inside the fun and fanciful Plaid Elephant Books in Kentucky
- Loretta Lynn's granddaughter Lynn Massey dies after 'difficult' health battle
- Kroger and Albertsons hope to merge but must face a skeptical US government in court first
Recommendation
-
Brian Austin Green’s Fiancée Sharna Burgess Celebrates Megan Fox’s Pregnancy News
-
Some think rumors of Beyoncé performing at the DNC was a scheme for ratings: Here's why
-
Bye bye, bacon egg burritos: Some Taco Bells will stop serving breakfast
-
Trump would veto legislation establishing a federal abortion ban, Vance says
-
The White Stripes drop lawsuit against Donald Trump over 'Seven Nation Army' use
-
Video shows California principal's suggestive pep rally dancing. Now he's on leave.
-
Lydia Ko completes ‘Cinderella-like story’ by winning Women’s British Open soon after Olympic gold
-
'The Crow' original soundtrack was iconic. This new one could be, too.