Lenny Kravitz's 'Mama Said' Turns 35

The soul-baring, reverential sophomore album exemplifies how seriously the singer-songwriter takes his craft and admiration for his musical predecessors.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 7:00pm

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Lenny Kravitz's second album 'Mama Said' celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. Released in 1991, the album showcased Kravitz's deep respect for his musical influences and his ability to pour raw emotion into his songwriting during a difficult personal period.

Why it matters

While 'Mama Said' may not have been Kravitz's commercial peak, it set the tone for his acclaimed career as a genre-blending artist who takes his craft seriously and pays homage to the musical greats that came before him.

The details

After the success of his debut album 'Let Love Rule' in 1989, Kravitz returned in 1991 with 'Mama Said', an album that reflected his personal struggles and heartache. The album featured collaborations with artists like Slash and The Phenix Horns, and showcased Kravitz's ability to blend styles like funk, rock, and soul. Despite some mixed reviews at the time, 'Mama Said' became Kravitz's first top 40 album and was certified platinum, proving his ability to connect with audiences through his sincere, reverential approach to music.

  • Lenny Kravitz's sophomore album 'Mama Said' was originally released on April 2, 1991.
  • The album was reissued as a Deluxe Edition on June 5, 2012, featuring bonus tracks.

The players

Lenny Kravitz

A genre-blending singer, songwriter, and musician who has sincere admiration for his musical past and continues to release critically acclaimed albums.

Slash

The Guns N' Roses guitarist contributed to the album, joining Kravitz and Earth, Wind & Fire's horn section, The Phenix Horns, on the Led Zeppelin-esque track 'Always On the Run'.

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What they’re saying

“Until Kravitz begins transforming his influences instead of just copying them, he'll remain a promising but minor artist.”

— Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune writer

“Mama Said was 'a rather disjointed album that lacks freshness and distinction.'”

— Elysa Gardner

“Kravitz 'dedicated his career to slavishly imitating others.'”

— Jim Farber

The takeaway

Despite some initial mixed reviews, 'Mama Said' proved Kravitz's ability to connect with audiences through his sincere, reverential approach to music. The album set the tone for his acclaimed career as a genre-blending artist who pays homage to the musical greats that came before him.