I get hired as a writer or producer and I do the best I can to bring out that artist. If somebody calls you to do something, you go right for that vision and you’re aware of that person’s vibe. You’re trying to get inside of them.
I’m really happy about American Woman, it brought the Guess Who back. They started gigging again and got their song out on commercials.
If you heard my records and no one told you, I don’t think you’d know whether it’s a band or one guy.
Mothers love you to the end, and she didn’t want to hold me back from my livelihood. So I left for a month and called her every couple of days. I came home and she died 24 hours later.
I think that we have to be very careful and get back into the loop, get back to nature. Get back to God and not let the technology send us somewhere that we’re going to regret.
I had no idea ‘The Hunger Games’ was so big. I didn’t even know the book. I had been living under my own rock.
My mom and dad would take me all over. One night we’d be at the Apollo watching James Brown, and then I’d be at the Joffrey Ballet. It was that kind of scene.
So that’s why you’ve got to try, you got to breath and have some fun. Though I’m not paid, I play this game, and I won’t stop until I’m done. But what I really want to know is – Are you gonna go my way?
I’m so happy. I am able to see the world just by making music, just by doing the thing that I loved doing when I was five years old.
Eleutheria, the fire is burning. Eleutheria, the tables are turning.
The fans of ‘The Hunger Games,’ of the book, are very passionate. It’s funny: Even at my concerts there are people holding up ‘Cinna’ signs.
There’s definitely an old school element to my music, but I also think it’s modern.
I’ve always had to deal with being biracial, even in music. When I came on the scene, I’d go to these record labels, and they’d say things like, “Lenny Kravitz. That’s a weird name.” I’m brown-skinned and I’ve got these dreadlocks and I’ve got this Jewish last name.
People don’t realize it, but no one lives that rock and roll life 24-7. They think it’s hundreds of bottles of champagne flowing and private jets and money. But there’s a lot of time when you’re traveling – time to think, time to be lonely. Sometimes it gets to you.
God forbid you sing about love. It’s a lost concept.
I am still into the people I listened to growing up, so I completely remember what is like to be a fan, I haven’t changed.
I’m experiencing the mood to go out and share the music. I don’t look at these concerts as a platform for people to watch me, look at me. No, a tour is about an interaction. A thing, myself, a band, and the people who support what I do and enjoy what I do.
If you ask a hundred people, they all give you different answers.
I made the record that my life had me make. Each one is like a diary.
I never sit down to write. When I’m moved, I do it. I just wait for it to come. You just hear it. I can’t really describe writing. It’s in my head.