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Recorded in the Bahamas and Paris over the past two years, the 46-year-old multi-instrumentalist's experimental new album is likely his most ambitious to date, running the gamut from rock and blues to funk, dancehall and even hip-hop, with aid from two of hip-hop's elite: Jay-Z and Drake.
While Kravitz and Jay have collaborated twice before in the past, the Drake feature is surprising, as the 'American Woman' singer has never featured an MC besides Jiggaman on his albums.
"I got on the phone with Drake for ('Sunflower') before he had even heard the track and he said, 'Yeah, I'll do it. I'm a fan and I love your work and I would love to be on it.' So that was cool," Kravitz told Billboard, of his inspiration for collaborating with the Young Money rapper on the summery, funky 'Sunflower.'
On 'Boongie Drop,' which was co-written by Swizz Beatz, Kravitz provided a dancehall-inspired bed for Hov's lustful rhymes.
"Put the kids to sleep on this one," Jay exclaims, before flipping a playful, island-influenced verse. "Pop, lock and drop it/ I make that p---- speak patois/ Like Petra, remember her?/ Remember me from the basement party?/ I remember you, tight, tight no panties."
"When I wrote 'Boongie Drop' I heard a rap in the middle, and I immediately heard Jay's voice," Kravitz explained. "We had collaborated twice before, so I called him and when I went to New York I put him on the track."
Lenny Kravitz's 'Black and White America' is in stores August 30.
Watch Jay-Z & Kanye West Perform 'H.A.M'
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Download Jay-Z Songs | Buy Jay-Z Albums
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