*Former BET program director Stephen Hill clapped back at Lenny Kravitz’s claims that he has never been invited “to a BET thing or a Source Awards thing,” the rocker said recently in an interview with Esquire.
Kravitz told the publication, “And it’s like, here is a Black artist who has reintroduced many Black art forms, who has broken down barriers — just like those that came before me broke down. That is positive. And they don’t have anything to say about it?”
“I have been that dream and example of what a Black artist can do,” he added.
Kravitz claims BET has never invited him to an award show and that Black publications don’t celebrate his success. What he failed to note is that the team behind Black artists tends to ignore Black media and give preferential treatment to white outlets.
The Source reports that Hill denied Lenny’s accusations in an Instagram post. He shared a photo of him and Kravitz with the caption: “#FlashbackFriday @lennykravitz and ya boy on the set of #106andPark on what I believe was his first, but I KNOW was not last visit to the show. One of my favorite musicians/performers of all time. Loved stretching the mold and programming his music on WILD-AM in the early 90’s, as well. Looking forward to his new music! Have a great day everybody!”
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As People reports, when a fan asked, “But was he invited to the BET Awards?” Hill responded, “I respect that question because you don’t know me. Understandable. Anyone that knows, KNOWS. And that’s my answer.😊 Merry Friday.”
Kravitz’s comments sparked a debate on social media among Black journalists who shared their experience with Black artists and how their White handlers (publicists/managers) reject Black media. One veteran Black female reporter detailed her experience with Kravitz’s team repeatedly denying her requests to interview the superstar.
Kravitz hit up his Instagram Story on Monday to clarify his comments. The rocker said he was “specifically referring to Black award shows” and Black media.
“It is important to me to set the record straight on recent media reports based on an interview I did,” Kravitz said on his Story. “My Black musical heritage means a lot to me, and I owe my success to my supporters who have taken this journey with me over the span of my career.”
He continued, “The comment I made was not about ‘Black media’ or the ‘Black community.’ I was specifically referring to black award shows in particular.”
“My comment was meant to express a concern about ensuring that black artists are being recognized for their work in what is now being called ‘non traditional’ Black music, which it is not,” Kravitz wrote. “Rock and roll is the music we were instrumental in creating and is a part of our history. We must retain our heritage and celebrate that together.”
“BET and countless others have paved the way for this type of recognition. I hope that by sharing my concern a spotlight will be shone on this issue,” he concluded. “Love and peace.”
READ MORE: WTH?! Lenny Kravitz Reveals NEVER Being Invited to ‘a BET Thing or a Source Awards Thing’ | VIDEOs
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