What does Black and White America sound like?

A vibrant fusion of rock, funk, and soul that celebrates cultural identity with an uplifting spirit. Rooted in folk and hard rock. Start with "Black and White America".

Is Black and White America a good place to start with Lenny Kravitz?

Yes, Black and White America is recommended as a starting point for new Lenny Kravitz listeners. A vibrant fusion of rock, funk, and soul that celebrates cultural identity with an uplifting spirit. Released in 2011, Black and White America is Lenny Kravitz's ninth studio album and follows the commercial success of his 2008 release, It Is Time for a Love Revolution. At this stage in his career, Kravitz was seeking to explore themes of racial identity and personal reflection, marking a return to more socially conscious songwriting after years of focusing on mainstream appeal.

Who is Black and White America for?

Black and White America works well if you're into uplifting and positive vibes, dynamic emotional journeys and long, immersive listening sessions.

How many songs are on Black and White America?

Black and White America has 16 tracks, running approximately 66 minutes.

Black and White America

Lenny Kravitz · 2011

66 min · 16 tracks · folk music

A vibrant fusion of rock, funk, and soul that celebrates cultural identity with an uplifting spirit.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Black and White America Start here — This title track encapsulates the album's theme of racial harmony and features a rich blend of funk rhythms and rock sensibilities, making it a standout opener.
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Stand — This song delivers an empowering message about resilience and unity, showcasing Kravitz's ability to merge catchy melodies with socially relevant lyrics.
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Superlove — With its infectious groove and uplifting lyrics about love's transformative power, this track highlights Kravitz's knack for crafting feel-good anthems.
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Liquid Jesus — This track blends spiritual themes with funk-rock instrumentation, reflecting Kravitz's exploration of faith and identity within a contemporary context.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends various styles but lacks a strong thematic cohesion throughout its length.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a steady groove and layered instrumentation, setting an upbeat tone for the first half.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocals, particularly in 'Stand' and 'Boongie Drop', creating an interactive feel.
The last three tracks shift to slower tempos, with 'Looking Back on Love' featuring a prominent piano arrangement that contrasts with earlier songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

uplifting and positive vibes
dynamic emotional journeys
long, immersive listening sessions
varied track lengths and moods

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and genre-blending at a mature stage in his career.
Themes: racial harmony· cultural identity· spiritual exploration
Moods: Uplifting· Energetic
Career context: Released in 2011, Black and White America is Lenny Kravitz's ninth studio album and follows the commercial success of his 2008 release, It Is Time for a Love Revolution. At this stage in his career, Kravitz was seeking to explore themes of racial identity and personal reflection, marking a return to more socially conscious songwriting after years of focusing on mainstream appeal.
Stylistic neighbors: Prince· Jimi Hendrix· Carlos Santana

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Black and White America

The narrative shifts from personal reflection to broader societal commentary on race relations.

This structural choice elevates the song from mere autobiography to a poignant statement on collective identity.