MTV: You used vintage analog equipment for many years. But you used digital equipment for the first time on your previous studio album, 5. Now you combine the two. Has that progression felt natural to you?Kravitz: I had to learn it. I didn't know anything about it. I spentso many years working with analog equipment and learning about it. It gotto a point where we had done it and I felt like, "OK, I know this. Now Iwanna try something that I said I would never do." Years ago, I said Iwould never work with [digital equipment]. Then, when I got to 5 Ifelt bored. I was like, "I said I would never do it, that's why I'm gonnado it." Then, I got into it. I use the best of the new digital equipmentand the best of the analog equipment. That way I have more colors to workwith.
MTV: "Bank Robber Man" deals with your arrest in Florida, where youwere mistaken for a bank robber. You've called it racial profiling. Do you think that's an issue that's even more relevant these days?
Kravitz: Unfortunately that's what comes with fear. It's gonna bereally hard for people to control that. It takes a lot of understanding tosee past that. I think the state that people are in, with all the fear,they're not having the insight or strength to deal with that right now. I'mactually glad [the arrest] happened. I live in reality, but sometimes it's good to get that extra little dose. When you're an artist and you're in theposition that I'm in, people tend to kiss your ass. I was walking down thestreet and there was a bank robbery two blocks away. They thought it wasme. I was walking toward the bank, mind you. Not too smart if I had robbed the bank. They surrounded me with two cop cars and a K9 unit. Theythought I was armed, so they were ready. I was cuffed and put up againstthe car and detained. It took a while until I was identified. The bankteller had to come and say it wasn't me. I thought it was gonna be some80-year-old bank teller, some old woman with glasses who would have seen myskin and my hair and said, "Oh yeah, that's him." But it didn't happen thatway. It's the new and improved "Mr. Cab Driver."
MTV: You recently co-wrote a song, "God Gave Me Everything", with Mick Jagger for his solo album. What was that like?
Kravitz: I co-wrote it and I produced it. It was really greatworking with somebody of that magnitude. Somebody with that much talent,somebody who's written songs that helped define an era. You're working withthe best, and we worked well together. I like working with people of thatmagnitude. I've worked with Madonna, Mick, Curtis Mayfield, MichaelJackson, and on and on.
MTV: Do you think producing other artists is a big part of whatyou'll be doing?
Kravitz: Definitely. I'm starting my label [Roxie Records] and I'mdefinitely gonna start producing. When I was in high school I always wantedto be Quincy Jones. I produce my own records, and I get a lot of joy out ofthat. But I'd like to do more producing with new artists. I have my eye onsome people.
MTV: Do you feel the pressure to top yourself?
Kravitz: I feel no pressure at all. I never have. I just know that Iwant to always grow. As long as I do that, that's cool. I can have a flopand grow. I don't let success validate my success. I don't let money tellme that I'm rich. I can be broke and be extremely rich. I know people thatare loaded and are extremely poor. It's about what you have inside. I justkeep walking and thanking God for everything and try to put my best footforward.
MTV: When you say you continue to grow, do you set any goals foryour personal growth?
Kravitz: You never get to a point, or at least I'll never get to apoint where I say, "I've grown. Thank you very much." I have a 91-year-oldgrandfather who is growing every day. He's my prime example. He hangs outwith kids, he hangs out with people who have new ideas. He's always open tonew things. To see somebody like that be open and always trying to learnsomething new is amazing.
MTV: Do you see yourself at 91, still making albums and touring?
Kravitz: I don't think so. I'm sure I'll always make music in someway. I just hope I make it to 90.
