Lenny Kravitz doesn’t have beef with Black media, but rather with Black award shows like the BET Awards and the now-defunct Source Awards.
After recent backlash stemming from comments he made mentioning Black publications, the rockstar took to social media to clarify his statement.
“It is important to me to set the record straight on recent media reports based on an interview I did [with Esquire]. My black musical heritage means a lot to me, and I owe my success to my supporters who have taken this journey with me over the span of my career,” began the 59-year-old.
Kravitz continued, “The comment I made was not about ‘black media’ or the ‘black community.’ I was specifically referring to black awards shows in particular. My comment was meant to express a concern about ensuring that black artists are being recognized for their work in what is now being called ‘non-traditional’ black music, which it is not.”
He, then, referenced how instrumental rock-n-roll is “in creating and [being] a part of our history,” noting, “We must retain our heritage and celebrate that together.”
The biracial artist concluded, “BET and countless others have paved the way for this type of recognition. I hope that by sharing my concern a spotlight will be shone on this issue. Love and peace.”
When speaking with Esquire, Kravitz mentioned VIBE as one of the outlets who was seemingly delayed in celebrating him. He expressed, “To this day, I have not been invited to a BET thing or a Source Awards thing. And it’s like, here is a Black artist who has reintroduced many Black art forms, who has broken down barriers—just like those that came before me broke down, that is positive. And they don’t have anything to say about it?”
However, for the Hunger Games alum, he’s “not here for the accolades; I’m here for the experience.”
