Celebrity Mound

On the eve of his new release, Black and White America (out tomorrow, August 30^th), Lenny Kravitz has announced a series of new release formats for the album, as well as several high profile television appearances.

The Black and White America: Super Deluxe Edition will include a 46 page foil-embossed hardcover book, double-gatefold LP set with an exclusive 200-photo Kravitz photo collage, a DVD with 5 exclusive and very intimate in-studio performances and a CD making it the complete album experience of sight and sound. An exclusive vinyl version of the album will also be available.

In addition to the release of his new album, Lenny Kravitz has confirmed a series of performances the week of the album’s release. He will perform on the Toyota Concert Series on the TODAY Show, closing out the morning program’s highly anticipated summer shows on September 2^nd. Along with the TODAY concert series, Kravitz is set to appear on The Late Show with David Letterman on August 30^th and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon onSeptember 1^st.

Marking Lenny Kravitz’s first release of new material in three years, Black and White America is a rich rock and funk-infused collection filled with Lenny’s signature guitar riffs, compelling melodies and the undeniable anthemic lyricism that has been his trademark over the course of his 20-year career. Recorded in Paris and the Bahamas, Lenny Kravitz’s vocals and guitar playing are as distinct as ever, showcasing the intensity with which he records and performs. Kravitz, a multi-instrumentalist, produced, wrote and arranged the 12 tracks on the record. Black and White America’s standout tracks include “Stand,” with its melodic beats and rhythms, “Super Love,” a 70’s throwback to the days of funk with a weaving modern sound, the electrifying beat-driven “Boongie Drop” featuring Jay-Z and the soulful “Sunflower” with Drake. This is Kravitz’s first album on the new label, Atlantic Records/Roadrunner Records, following 8 previous albums and over 35 million units sold.

Lenny Kravitz, who most recently appeared in the Oscar nominated film Precious, has also announced that he has been cast in the role of Cinna in the much anticipated film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ worldwide smash hit novel, The Hunger Games, which is currently filming.

For more information please go to www.lennykravitz.com.

Teena Marie may not have been a household name, but she was instrumental in Lenny Kravitz’s rise to fame.

The Grammy Award-winning singer posted a message on YouTube Monday from Paris after waking up to find out his “long-time friend” had died suddenly at the age of 54.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Teena, she took me in when I was around 16,” he said. “I was just a musician living on the street living from pillar to post.”

The 46-year-old singer-songrwiter said she took him in, gave him a bedroom and instruments and trailed him to concerts and recording sessions.

“She nurtured me and helped me to become who I am,” he said, adding that he never really talked about their bond in depth.

The duo did however record a duet, “Main Squeeze,” that appeared on Marie’s 1994 album, “Passion Play.”

“She changed my life not only as an artist but as a person who truly loved me for who I was,” Kravitz added in his video, before admitting they had been out of contact for the past few years.

“I will always love and respect you,” he concluded. “Thank you, Father, for the life of Teena Marie.”

But Kravitz is not the only high profile singer who shares a history with Marie. Rap star Common revealed that he and Marie had the same star signs.

“Teena and I are both Pisces and we believe that we’ve been here before,” he tweeted. “That’s why ‘De Ja Vu’ is my favorite song.”

Meanwhile, Diddy revealed that he just saw the legendary musician “the other day” before tweeting, “God Bless.”

Mary J. Blige opted for the traditional “rest in peace” message before adding, “My Love for u is forever.”

One of Marie’s younger admirers, Alicia Keys, 29, also tweeted a tribute to the “Ooo La La La” singer.

“God bless Teena Marie & her Family! Sending Blessings & prayers,” she wrote on Twitter. “I was just sayin that [Fire and Desire] is one of the most beautifully performed songs!”

Marie, who was a protégé of Rick James’, was found dead by her 18-year-old daughter Sunday in California.

Her publicist said she suffered a grand mal seizure a month ago but no cause of death has been released.

An autopsy is set to take place later this week, though, according to TMZ.com, no illegal drugs were found at the scene.