Lenny Kravitz celebrated “daring to be different” as he picked up the Music Icon Award at the People’s Choice Awards.
The singer was honored with the prestigious accolade at the ceremony at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California on Feb. 18. He reflected how he initially had to fight against being told to change himself to be successful.
“When I was thinking about what to say tonight, I kept going back to that word icon,” he told the audience on stage.
“It means a lot of things to a lot of people, but to me, it means you’ve made an indelible mark by being who God created you to be and daring to be different,” Kravitz said. “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,” he recalled. “It didn’t fit nicely inside a box or sound like what was on the radio at the time, and I turned down the money and the glitzy promises of fame, and stardom because I couldn’t live with myself doing something inauthentic.”
The “Fly Away” hitmaker credits his genuine love for his music — as well as his faith — for his success.
“I’ve been doing this a very long time, more than 35 years,” continued. “An icon, to me, is someone who inspires and teaches others to believe in themselves and their direction, whatever that direction is. 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. It’s about enjoying and being grateful for the journey and using the gifts that God gave you.”
Kravitz also reflected on the mantra he’s followed throughout his career.
“Never follow the trends, set your own pace and recognize that the best is right here, right now, in front of you,” he explained.
The “Hunger Games” star went on to thank his team and his fans, as well as pay tribute to his parents Sy Kravitz and Roxie Roker for “taking me to all those amazing concerts when I was a kid instead of leaving me home with the babysitter.”
Before accepting the award from Victoria Monet, Kravitz treated the audience to a medley of his biggest hits, including “Fly Away,” “It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over” and “TK421.”
