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 2024 People’s Choice Awards' People's Music Icon award on Sunday.

The 59-year-old rocker — who broke out thanks to 1989's “Let Love Rule” — took to the stage at the awards ceremony in Santa Monica, California, to play a medley of hits from his incredible career, including his breakout hit, "Fly Away," "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over," "Are You Gonna Go My Way" and the more recent single "TK421."

The crowd erupted in cheers for Kravitz before he accepted the "incredible" award from Victoria Monét, 34, and said in his speech that part of the word "icon" means "daring to be different" and being yourself 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 is," he said. "It's never been about how many records I sell, or how many awards I win. 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 gave you, and that journey goes how it goes. And it will continue, because I'm just doing me."

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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 those amazing concerts when I was a kid instead of leaving me home with a babysitter."

He concluded his passionate speech, "Love is the strongest power, and love will win. We are all one — one God, one people, one planet. Let love rule, y'all."

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The genre-defying singer/guitarist, whose career spans more than 30 years, was announced as this year’s music icon award honoree 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 across 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 greats, Lenny’s musical gift is truly unmatched,” Neal continued. “We’re thrilled to honor him as this year’s Music Icon and look forward to seeing what he brings to the stage.”

Kravitz was honored with Sunday's award several weeks after he received the Recording Academy Global Impact Award ahead of the 2024 Grammys.

As of late, "Road to Freedom," the rock star's song for the 2023 biopic Rustin starring Colman Domingo as civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, has also received a great deal of awards recognition, including nominations at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards.

The “American Woman” singer is currently gearing up to release his 12th studio album, Electric Blue Light, which is due out May 24 via Roxie and BMG. The highly anticipated project marks his first full-length record since 2018’s Raise Vibrations.

Kravitz shared the upcoming album's lead single “TK421” in October of last year along with its internet-breaking music video.

Related: Lenny Kravitz Rewatches The Jeffersons When He Misses Late Mom Roxie Roker (Exclusive)

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

"I was told my music wasn’t Black enough or wasn't white enough," Kravitz said, noting that regarding his eclectic musical interests, record labels "said I had to make a choice, but I never did."

The singer continued, "I was told that I need to make the music that Black people commercially are making that's on the radio, so you'll have success. And I just could never get with any of that. I was going to make the music that I made."

"It's sort of amazing to me that I could be where I am now and feel fresh and hungry," Kravitz shared. "This is who God created me to be. I'm just trying to walk in that destiny."

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