Lenny Kravitz Thanks Parents and Delivers Call for Unity at People's Choice Awards 2024: 'Let Love Rule'

The rock star was honored with the People’s Music Icon Award and performed a medley of hits from his career at the 2024 People’s Choice Awards.

Lenny Kravitz was honored as a certified rock legend when he accepted the People’s Choice Awards for Music Audience Icon 2024 on Sunday.

The 59-year-old rocker — who broke through with 1989’s “Let Love Rule” — took the stage at the awards show in Santa Monica, Calif., to play a medley of hits from his incredible career, including his smash hit, “Fly Away,” “It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over,” “Are You Gonna Go My Way” and the latest single “TK421.”

The crowd cheered for Kravitz before he accepted the “amazing” award from Victoria Monét, 34, and said in his speech that part of the word “icon” means “dare to be different” and be who you are instead of something “inauthentic” for money.

“An icon to me is someone who inspires and teaches others to believe in themselves and their direction, whatever that direction may be,” he said. “It’s never been about how many records I’ve sold or how many awards I’ve won. 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 has given you , and that journey goes as it goes. And it will continue, because I’m just doing myself.”

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Lenny Kravitz performs at the People’s Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California on February 18, 2024.

Trae Patton/NBC via Getty

Kravitz also thanked several people who have been with him “through this incredible journey,” including his mom and dad, Roxie Roker and Sy Kravitz, “for taking me to all these amazing concerts when I was a kid instead of leaving me at home with nanny.”

He concluded his impassioned speech, “Love is the strongest power, and love will win. We are all one – one God, one people, one planet. Let love rule, everyone.”

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The genre-defying singer/guitarist, whose career has spanned more than 30 years, was named this year’s Music Icon Award winner in January.

At the time, Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events and Specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment shared a statement about their decision to recognize the Grammy winner: “With 11 studio albums in a decades-long career, Lenny Kravitz has cemented himself as a global rock superstar.”

“Whether he’s writing and performing his own hit songs or working behind the scenes writing for other industry giants, Lenny’s musical gift is truly unmatched,” Neal continued. “We are thrilled to honor him as this year’s music icon and look forward to seeing what he brings to the stage.”

Lenny Kravitz at the People’s Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California on February 18, 2024.

Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Kravitz was honored with Sunday’s award just weeks after receiving the Recording Academy Global Impact Award ahead of the 2024 Grammys.

More recently, “Road to Freedom,” the rock star’s song for the 2023 biopic. Rustin starring Colman Domingo as civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, also received many awards, including Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award nominations.

The “American Woman” singer is currently preparing to release her 12th studio album, Electric blue light, due out May 24 via Roxie and BMG. The long-awaited project marks his first full-length record since 2018 Raise your vibrations.

Last October, Kravitz shared the lead single from his upcoming album “TK421” along with its online music video.

Lenny Kravitz in Los Angeles on February 1, 2024.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

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While appearing on the cover of the recent issue of PEOPLE, the hitmaker reflected on his storied career and early days trying to establish himself as a black artist whose sound touched everything from rock to funk to soul.

“I was told my music wasn’t black enough or it wasn’t white enough,” Kravitz said, noting that with his eclectic musical interests, labels “said I had to make a choice, but I never did.”

The singer continued, “I was told that I had to make music that black people were making commercially that was on the radio so you would have success. And I just could never accept any of that. I was going to make the music that I made.”

“It’s amazing to me that I was able to be where I am and feel fresh and hungry,” Kravitz said. “God made me this way. I’m just trying to walk in that destiny.”

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The 2024 People’s Choice Awards air live on NBC, Peacock and E!

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