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Lenny Kravitz
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Watch the rocker perform tunes from his most autobiographical record to date - live from Charlotte, North Carolina!
You've arrived at Soundcheck...
Walmart’s original performance series where you get up close and personal with your favorite artists. Check out live performances and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from original in-studio sets – all filmed exclusively in HD. Soundcheck is broadcast in Walmart stores nationwide – or catch us online 24/7.
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We have a top-notch music label relations team that helps us book acts. They are constantly on the phone with music labels around the country trying to get the best bands on Soundcheck.
Soundcheck is an original performance series created by the Wal-Mart Music team, giving you the opportunity to go behind the scenes and get an in-studio look at some of your favorite artists. Soundcheck plays right here on Walmart.com, or, for the full high definition experience, visit any Walmart store and head to the Electronics department to watch it on the Walmart TV Network.
We'll be adding new performances on a regular basis throughout the year, so please check back regularly at Walmart.com/soundcheck for more information.
We'll have artists from all genres; some old, some new, some huge, some more emerging - but all will be presented in the same intimate studio environment. So be on the lookout!
Check in regularly at Walmart.com/soundcheck, or visit your local Walmart store and watch the Walmart TV Network.
No. Just visit Walmart.com/soundcheck and watch for free!
Once the performances launch, you can play it anytime you want, 24 hours a day. We'll keep all artists up on the site under "The Performances" tab.
We recommend broadband DSL or Cable to anyone who wants to truly enjoy video and audio on the Internet. However, we have made available a smaller dial-up version so you don't miss out.
If you are reading this page right now, you likely have everything you need. However, watching the Soundcheck performances requires at least the following in order to properly stream media content:
PC
• Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional, Vista or Windows 7 in 32bit and 64bit
• Intel Pentium 4 2.33GHz, AMD Athlon™ 64 2800+ processor (or equivalent)
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Internet Explorer 6.0 to 8.0 (IE 8.0 recommended)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Flash Version 9.0.115 and up.
MAC
• Mac OS X v10.4 or later
• PowerPC G5 1.8GHz, Intel Core Duo 1.33GHz or faster processor
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Safari 3.0
If you have the minimum system requirements, reinstall your Flash Player by clicking here
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Performance Photos
About The Artist
The Set List
Black And White America’ is who I am. It’s how I grew up. It’s my parents’ story. It’s what I’ve always known, the contrast.
Lenny Kravitz lets love rule on Walmart Soundcheck – and discusses the autobiographical tunes from his latest opus, ‘Black And White America.’ His first album in three years not only includes collaborations with Jay-Z and Drake, it’s being called his most personal album yet. Check out our exclusive set with Lenny – and go pick up a copy of ‘Black And White America’ online and in Walmart stores nationwide!
-The Crew at Walmart Soundcheck
On His New Record's Title:
“’Black And White America’ is who I am. It’s how I grew up. It’s my parents’ story. What they went through at the time of the civil rights movement. It's what's going on right now with this place that America is in now. It’s what I’ve always known. The contrast.”
On Dreaming Music:
“I found that I really needed some time alone after being on the road for so long and dealing with a lot of things that I deal with in my life. I found a place of peace. I let my spirit chill out and I started hearing all kinds of amazing music. I dreamt a lot of the music on this album.”
On Paris:
“Paris gave me the opportunity to hear the music differently. I had been in the jungle for the better part of two years [making this record]. When I got to Paris and was playing the music in the car driving around the city... the music sounded a lot different. It opened it up. I heard this electricity that I wanted to put on top. I heard more of an urban attitude in the music and a sparkle."
On Playing Vintage Equipment:
“I collect a lot of beautiful vintage gear; I’ve been collecting it for the last twenty years. I think it sounds superior. It’s not about being romantic or going back into the past. It’s a certain quality that it has, an organic quality that enables me to really record the personality in my hands on all the instruments.”
On Working With Jay-Z And Drake:
“I collaborated with Jay-Z on this album. He is on a song called ‘Boongie Drop.’ I also collaborated with Drake on a track called ‘Sunflower.’ These collaborations came by virtue of the music calling for it. It’s about the music, and when I’m listening to the music I hear what needs to happen. The music always dictates; it always tells me what to do. I heard Jay’s voice; I heard Drake’s voice, and I made the phone calls and they were nice enough to contribute to the tracks.”
On Inspiration:
“I found that a lot of things that were coming up musically were from the period when I was in junior high. I was listening to a lot of funk and R&B: The Brothers Johnson, a lot of Quincy Jones productions. It seemed like that period was coming up.”
• Leonard Albert Kravitz is a singer, songwriter, actor, clothing designer, and humanitarian.
• He comes from a showbiz family. Lenny’s mother was Roxie Roker, who played Hellen Willis in the hit television sitcom, ‘The Jeffersons.’ His dad was Sy Kravitz, an NBC television news producer.
• He’s a critical and commercial success – with a career spanning over 20 years. Since his debut album hit the charts in 1989, Lenny has sold over 35 million albums and won four Grammy Awards.
• His new album is being called “the most personal and diverse collection of his career.” Lenny recorded ‘Black And White America’ in a 400-person community in the Bahamas (where the singer lives) and in Paris.
• ‘Black And White America’ is in stores now! Pick up a copy of the record online and in Walmart stores nationwide.
The title track to Lenny Kravitz’s new album, ‘Black And White,’ is a retro-tinged autobiographical tale of Lenny’s American life. It's also an optimistic look into the future. Sings Lenny: “There is no division / Don’t you understand / The future looks as though it has come around…”
Mr. Cab Driver
Dressed in his signature sunglasses and leather vest, Lenny launches into a popular tune from his 1990 debut, ‘Let Love Rule.’ 'Mr. Cab Driver' was written by Lenny after an altercation with a New York City cab driver, and it also addresses many of the themes explored in ‘Black And White America.’ Sings Lenny: “Mr. Cab Driver / Won’t you stop to let me in? / Mr. Cab Driver / You’re never gonna win.”
Come On Get It
Released as the first single from ‘Black And White America,' ‘Come On Get It’ is a soulful step back to the kind of music Lenny listened to in high school. Explains Lenny: “I was listening to a lot of funk and R&B: The Brothers Johnson, a lot of Quincy Jones productions. It seemed like that period was coming up.”
Stand
The new single from ‘Black And White America’ has surprised the critics with its new sound - an invigorating blend of pop and funk played on the singer’s signature vintage guitars. Explains Lenny: “I collect a lot of beautiful vintage [instruments]. It’s not about being romantic or going back into the past; it’s a certain quality that it has, an organic quality that enables me to really record the personality in my hands on all the instruments.”
Are You Gonna Go My Way
Ready for hard rock Lenny?! The singer (who has drawn more than a few comparisons to Jimi Hendrix) launches into an unforgettable guitar riff that’s quintessential Kravitz. Promises Lenny: “I have come to save the day / And I won’t stop until I’m done!”
Let Love Rule
Closing with the title track tune to his 1990 debut, Lenny leaves his Walmart Soundcheck set with a message inspired by peace. Similar to the themes echoed in ‘Black And White America,’ ‘Let Love Rule’ finds Lenny looking upward and forward. Sings Lenny: “It’s time to take a stand / Brothers and sisters join hands.”
