ABOUT THIS ITEM

Features on Betty Wright, Roller Boogie, Gary Bartz, Cody Chesnutt, and Quantic & Alice Russell. Also in this issue: Georgia Anne Muldrow, Thundercat, Jamire Williams and ERIMAJ, Myron & E, and MeLo-X.

Renaissance Man. Lenny Kravitz grew up singing classical music in a boys’ choir, learned to play multiple instruments like his idol Prince, absorbed the Beatles’ classic studio techniques, and espoused the virtues of vintage equipment before it was called retro. From the very beginning, he clung to his independence and fought the stereotypes of the music industry—even as his stardom exploded. A student of the music who had a sustaining influence on his peers, Lenny Kravitz learned to navigate the industry to become a master of his game.

The Prince and the Evolution. Dâm-Funk quickly became L.A. royalty when he exploded onto the scene spinning rare boogie and modern soul, then dropping his own synth-heavy slabs on Stones Throw Records. After nearly singlehandedly igniting international interest in modern funk, Dâm is now broadening his scope and looking to evolve the music into its natural next level.