Lenny Kravitz, 'Again' (Sessions)

Lenny Kravitz's newest album in three years, 'Black and White America,' goes back to his childhood and growing up bi-racial after the civil rights movement of the late '60s and early '70s. Reflecting the period's musical landscape, Kravitz hones in on the earthier side of his influences with jazzy bass lines, rave-up horn charts and some of the most impassioned vocal performances of his career.

The day before he was set to guest star at a stadium show with U2, Kravitz stopped by AOL's Beverly Hills studios for a Sessions performance. After he and his world-class band rocked out songs from 'Black and White America' and his back catalog, Kravitz sat down for an on-camera interview where he talked about the new album, his fiercely independent attitude and where he gets his rock star confidence.

"I always knew what I wanted to do. I even passed up record deals. People were offering me contracts, money, and I would turn them down, because they did have a specific idea of what they wanted me to do, and that wasn't me."