NEW YORK, NY (Top40 Charts/ Press Here Publicity / Roadrunner Records) Four-time GRAMMY Award winning artist
Lenny Kravitz is proud to announce the release of his highly-anticipated ninth studio album,
Black and White
America this Summer 2011 on Atlantic Records/Roadrunner Records. This is Kravitz's first album on the new label, following 8 previous albums and over 35 million units sold.
Marking his first release of new material in three years, Black and White America is a rich rock and funk-infused collection filled with Lenny's signature guitar riffs, compelling melodies and the undeniable anthemic lyricism that has been his trademark over the course of his 20-year career. In addition to the release of his new album, Kravitz will kick off a world tour in support of the new collection this June.
"I am really excited for everyone to hear the music on Black and White America. Musically and lyrically, I feel it is the most diverse album of my career," states Kravitz.
Roadrunner Records President Jonas Nachsin comments, "Roadrunner is thrilled to welcome Lenny Kravitz to our family. Lenny is a consummate artist who has achieved critical and commercial success, and we plan on promoting his new music as some of the most compelling work in his illustrious career." All parties involved wish to thank Tom Lipsky of Lipsky Music LLC for his diligence in bringing the partnership to fruition.
Recorded in Paris and the Bahamas, Lenny Kravitz's vocals and guitar playing are as distinct as ever on Black and White America, showcasing the intensity with which he records and performs. Kravitz, a multi-instrumentalist, produced, wrote and arranged the 12 tracks on the record.
The album's standout tracks include "Stand, You're Gonna Run Again," with its melodic beats and rhythms, the inspirational and soul enriching "Push," "Super Love," a 70's throwback to the days of funk with a weaving modern sound and the electrifying beat-driven "Booty Pop." Also featured on the release is "Dream," a piano ballad showing off a robust and emotional strings section, and the funk driven title track, which lyrically takes the listener on a journey inspired by his parents' mixed-race marriage.
In October, Lenny Kravitz announced a season-long partnership with Turner Broadcasting that will feature multiple songs from the artist throughout its NBA regular season, All-Star and playoffs coverage. The first collaboration between the two featured Kravitz in a basketball-themed original video performing "Come On Get It," which also appears on his upcoming new album. The track is also being used as a secondary theme throughout the network's coverage, serving as the primary musical bed to enhance the network's broadcast elements.
A long-form version of the song is currently available on NBA.com and www.lennykravitz.com. Additionally, Kravitz has been confirmed to headline the 2011 NBA All-Star Entertainment Series presented by American Express along with Rihanna. Kravitz will tip off the 60th NBA All-Star Game, which will air on Sunday, February 20th.
Regarded as one of the preeminent rock musicians of our time, Lenny Kravitz has transcended genre, style, race and class into a 20-year musical career, one which revels in the rich influences of '60s and '70s soul, rock and funk. From 1999 to 2002, he won four consecutive Grammy Awards, setting a record for the most wins in the "Best Male Rock Vocal Performance" category with his single "Dig In" (previously winning for "Again," "American Woman" and "Fly Away"). In 2009, Kravitz appeared in a supporting role in the critically-acclaimed film Precious, for which he has received a 2010 NAACP Image Awards nomination for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture." Kravitz and the acclaimed Precious cast also received a 2010 Screen Actors Guild nod for "Best Ensemble."
Kravitz's last album release, It's Time For A Love Revolution, received critical U.S. acclaim with Rolling Stone calling the release "the best album Lenny Kravitz has ever made," and People saying "Kravitz is in top form," as well as Billboard proclaiming "it's some of his strongest lyrics in years." The album also generated platinum sales in France, Switzerland and the Czech Republic and gold certifications in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Japan and Hong Kong. Fueled by the smash hit, "I'll Be Waiting," which went top 10 in several European markets, Lenny spent most of 2009 on a 53 date sold out arena tour, across 18 countries on the continent.
For more information please go to www.lennykravitz.com.
About Roadrunner Records:
Originally founded in 1980 in the Netherlands, Roadrunner Records earned its place as one of the most prominent international independent record labels. Established primarily as a hard rock label, Roadrunner now boasts depth and variety in its artists. The label has recently experienced unprecedented success with multi-platinum artists Nickelback and Slipknot, near-platinum Theory of a Deadman, gold-certified Stone Sour and Killswitch Engage, as well as modern heavy hitters Korn, Dream Theater, Megadeth, Trivium and Opeth. Roadrunner's current roster also includes such diverse acts such as up and comers Young The Giant, The Parlor Mob, Black Stone Cherry and Airbourne. Loud & Proud Records/Lipsky Music LLC, a label joint-venture with Roadrunner, is home to established heritage rock acts including Rob Zombie, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ratt and KISS (Europe and select territories). Roadrunner catalog includes now-classic albums from seminal artists such as Type O Negative, Sepultura and King Diamond.
For more information about Roadrunner, visit: www.roadrunnerrecords.com.
