Kid Rock | |
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.jpg) Kid Rock at theWhite House in 2025 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Bobby Shazam |
| Born | Robert James Ritchie (1971-01-17)January 17, 1971 (age 54) Romeo, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1988–present |
| Labels | |
| Member of | Twisted Brown Trucker |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Jill Ritchie (sister) |
| Website | kidrock |
| Signature | |
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Robert James Ritchie (born January 17, 1971), known professionally asKid Rock, is an American musician, singer, rapper, and songwriter. After establishing himself in theDetroit hip-hop scene, he broke through into mainstream success with arap rock sound before shifting his performance style tocountry rock. A self-taught musician, he can play every instrument in his backing band and has overseen production on all but two of his albums.[1]
Kid Rock started his music career as a rapper, releasing his debut albumGrits Sandwiches for Breakfast (1990), onJive Records. His subsequent independent releasesThe Polyfuze Method (1993) andEarly Mornin' Stoned Pimp (1996) saw him developing a more distinctive style, which was fully realized on his breakthrough albumDevil Without a Cause (1998), which sold 14 million copies. This album and its follow-up,Cocky (2001), were noted for blending elements of hip-hop, country, and rock.
His most successful single from that time period, "Cowboy" (1999), is considered a pioneering song in thecountry rap genre. His best-selling singles overall are "Picture" (2002) and "All Summer Long" (2008). Starting with his 2007 albumRock n Roll Jesus, his musical output has tended to be in the country rock style. Politically, Ritchie is a vocal supporter of the U.S.Republican Party and holdslibertarian views.
Robert James Ritchie was born inRomeo, Michigan, on January 17, 1971, the son of Susan (née Brabbs)[2] and William "Bill" Ritchie (1941–2024),[3] who owned multiple car dealerships.[4][5][6] He was raised in his father's large home on extensive property,[4][7] which included anapple orchard and barnyard for their horses.[8] He attendedRomeo High School.[9] His younger sister,Jill Ritchie, is an actress.[10] In the 1980s, Ritchie became interested inhip-hop, began tobreakdance, and taught himself how to rap and DJ while performing in talent shows in and aroundDetroit.[4][5]
Kid Rock began his professional music career as a member of ahip-hop group called the Beast Crew in the late 1980s.[4] During this time, he metD-Nice. That relationship would eventually lead to him becoming the opening act at local shows forBoogie Down Productions.[4]
During this time, Kid Rock began a professional association with producerMike E. Clark, who, after some initial skepticism with the idea of a white rapper, found himself impressed with Kid Rock's energetic and well-received performance where the artist, using his own turntables and equipment, actually prepared his own beats to demonstrate his skills for Clark.[11]
In 1988, Clark produced a series of demos with Kid Rock. These demos eventually led to offers from six major record labels, includingAtlantic andCBS Records.[5][11]
In 1989, Kid Rock became a shareholder in an independent record label that was formed by Alvin Williams and Earl Blunt of EB-Bran Productions, called "Top Dog" Records. Later, that investment would become a 25% ownership stake.[12]
With the help of D-Nice, Kid Rock signed withJive Records at the age of 17, releasing his debut studio album,Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast in 1990.[4][6][11] According to Kid Rock, the contract with Jive resulted in animosity from fellow rapperVanilla Ice, who felt that he should have been signed with Jive instead of Kid Rock.[11]
The album made Kid Rock one of the two biggest rap stars in Detroit in 1990, along with localindependent rapperEsham.[13][14] To promote the album, Kid Rock toured nationally withIce Cube, D-Nice,Yo-Yo andToo Short; Detroit artist James "Blackman" Harris served as Kid Rock's DJ on this tour.[11][15] During instore promotions for the album, Kid Rock met and developed a friendship with local rapperEminem, who frequently challenged Kid Rock to rap battles.[11]
Ultimately, unfavorable comparisons to Vanilla Ice led to Jive dropping Kid Rock, according to Mike E. Clark.[11]
In 1992, Kid Rock signed with local independent record label Continuum.[11] Around this time, Kid Rock met local hip-hop duoInsane Clown Posse through Mike E. Clark, who was producing the duo.[14] While ICP memberViolent J disliked Kid Rock's music, he wanted the rapper to appear on ICP's debut album,Carnival of Carnage, believing the appearance would gain ICP notice, since Kid Rock was a nationally successful artist.[14] Noting that local rapper Esham was paid $500 to appear on ICP's album, Violent J claims that Kid Rock demanded $600 (equivalent to $1,344 in 2024) to record his guest appearance, alleging that Esham and Kid Rock had a feud over who was the bigger rapper.[14] Kid Rock showed up to record the song "Is That You?" intoxicated, but re-recorded his vocals and record scratching the following day.[14]
In 1993, Kid Rock recorded his second studio album,The Polyfuze Method, with producer Mike E. Clark, who worked with Kid Rock to help give the album more of a rock-oriented sound than his debut.[5]
Kid Rock also began releasing his "Bootleg" cassette series to keep local interest in his music.[11]
Later in the year, Kid Rock recorded the EPFire It Up at White Room Studios in downtown Detroit, run by brothers Michael and Andrew Nehra, who were forming the rock-soul bandRobert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise.[11] The EP featured theheavy rock song "I Am the Bullgod" and a cover ofHank Williams Jr.'scountry song "A Country Boy Can Survive".[11]
By 1994, Kid Rock's live performances had mostly been backed by DJs Blackman andUncle Kracker, but Kid Rock soon began to utilize more and more live instrumentation into his performances, and formed the rock bandTwisted Brown Trucker.[5][11]
After breaking up with his girlfriend, Kid Rock moved engineer Bob Ebeling into his apartment.[11] During a recording session with Mike E. Clark, the producer discovered that Kid Rock could sing when he recorded a reworked cover ofBilly Joel's "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me", entitled "It's Still East Detroit to Me", which Clark claims led him to encourage Kid Rock to sing more.[11]
During this time, Kid Rock developed animosity towards other Detroit artists, including Insane Clown Posse.[citation needed]
Through extensive promoting, including distributing tapes on consignment to local stores and giving away free samplers of his music, Kid Rock developed a following among an audience which DJ Uncle Kracker described as "white kids who droppedacid and liked listening togangsta rap"; this following included local rapperJoe C., who had been attending Kid Rock concerts as a fan, but upon meeting him personally, was invited to perform on stage as his hype man.[11]
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Kid Rock's stage presence became honed with the addition of a light show, pyrotechnics, dancers and a light-up backdrop bearing the name "Kid Rock", and 1996 saw the release of his most rock-oriented album to date,Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp; the album's title came from Bob Eberling, who told a sleepless, alcoholic, drug-using Kid Rock, "Dude, you are the early-morning, stoned pimp."[11] According to Kid Rock, who distributed the album himself,Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp sold 14,000 copies.[6]
Kid Rock developed his stage persona, performing dressed in 1970s pimp clothing with a real, possibly loaded, gun down the front of his pants.[11]
Although Kid Rock was known for his frequent partying and drug and alcohol use, he primarily focused on increasing his success and fame, prioritizing his role as a businessman. This drive led to increased local success.[11]
Kid Rock's attorney, Tommy Valentino, increased his stature by helping him get articles written about Kid Rock and Twisted Brown Trucker in major publications, includingBeastie Boys'Grand Royal magazine. However, though his management tried to interest local record labels in his music, they told his management team that they were not interested in signing a white rapper, to which Valentino told them, "He's not a white rapper. He's a rock star and everything in between."[11]
In 1997, Jason Flom, head ofLava Records, attended one of Kid Rock's performances and met with Kid Rock, who later gave him a demo containing the songs "Somebody's Gotta Feel This" and "I Got One for Ya", which led to Kid Rock signing with Atlantic Records.[11][16] As part of his recording deal, Kid Rock received $150,000 from the label.[6]
By this time Kid Rock had fully developed his stage persona, and musical style and wanted to make a "redneck, shit-kickingrock 'n' roll rap" album, resulting in his fourth studio album,Devil Without a Cause, recorded at the White Room in Detroit and mixed at the Mix Room in Los Angeles.[11]
Carried by singles such as "Bawitdaba" and "Cowboy", the album was a commercial success as it would be certified Gold and Platinum several months after its release, and eventually sold over 14 million copies. In promotion of the record, Kid Rock would joinLimp Bizkit on a national tour spanning 27 dates.[17][18] He performed atWoodstock 1999 and made an appearance on the1999MTV VMA, including a performance alongsideAerosmith andRun-DMC.[4][6][11] In 1999, Kid Rock made his voice acting debut in an episode ofThe Simpsons in the episode "Kill the Alligator and Run" playing himself, alongside rapper Joe C.
Despite having been active in the music industry for over 10 years by then, Kid Rock was nominated for aGrammy Award for Best New Artist of 2000.[4] Kid Rock's career was sometimes marked by tragedy, as in the death of friend and collaborator Joe C.[4][11]
In May 2000, Kid Rock released the compilation albumThe History of Rock behind the single "American Bad Ass". The song sampledMetallica's 1991 song "Sad but True", peaking at No. 20 on the mainstream rock chart. Kid Rock would join Metallica on their2000 Summer Sanitarium Tour along withKorn andSystem of a Down. Kid Rock andJonathan Davis filled in on vocals for an injuredJames Hetfield in Atlanta on July 7, 2000. Kid Rock performed "American Bad Ass" along with the Metallica classics "Sad but True", "Nothing Else Matters", "Fuel" and "Enter Sandman" in addition to covers of "Turn the Page" and "Fortunate Son".The History of Rock was certified double platinum.
In 2001, "American Bad Ass" was nominated for the Grammy forBest Hard Rock Performance, losing out toRage Against the Machine's "Guerrilla Radio". Kid Rock appeared in the comedy filmJoe Dirt, starringDavid Spade.[19] Kid Rock was in thelive-action/animated filmOsmosis Jones, voicing a bacterial cell version of himself named "Kidney Rock"; Kid Rock and Joe C. had also recorded the song "Cool Daddy Cool" for the film'ssoundtrack album before Joe C.'s death.[19][20]
In November 2001, Kid Rock released his fifth studio album,Cocky, which was dedicated to Joe C. The album became a hit, spurred by the crossover success of the single "Picture", a country ballad featuringSheryl Crow, which introduced Kid Rock to a wider audience and was ultimately the most successful single on the album.[4][21]
In support of the album, Kid Rock performed on the Cocky Tour in 2002 and opened for Aerosmith with Run-DMC on theGirls of Summer Tour. During this period, Uncle Kracker began his solo career full-time.[5] He was replaced by underground Detroit rapperParadime.
In 2002, Kid Rock coveredZZ Top's "Legs" to serve asWWE DivaStacy Keibler's theme song; it also appeared on the albumWWF Forceable Entry.[22]
Kid Rock filed a lawsuit to gain full control over the Top Dog record label, resulting in his receiving full ownership of the label in 2003.[23][24]
Kid Rock'sself-titled sixth album was also released in 2003, which shifted his music further away from hip-hop;[4] the lead single was a cover ofBad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love".[5] The same year, Kid Rock contributed to the tribute albumI've Always Been Crazy: A Tribute toWaylon Jennings, honoring the late country singer by covering the song "Luckenbach, Texas" in collaboration with country singerKenny Chesney.[25]
Kid Rock appeared on the track 'My Name is Robert Too' on American blues artistR. L. Burnside's final studio album,A Bothered Mind.[26]
The following year, Kid Rock released his seventh studio album,Rock n Roll Jesus, which was his first release to chart at No. 1 on theBillboard 200, selling 172,000 copies in its first week[27] and going on to sell over 5 million copies.[4] In July 2007, Kid Rock was featured in the cover ofRolling Stone magazine for the second time.[28] The album's third single, "All Summer Long", became a global hit, utilizing amash up ofLynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" andWarren Zevon's "Werewolves of London".[29]
In 2008, Kid Rock recorded and made a music video for the song "Warrior" for aNational Guard advertising campaign.[30][31]
In 2010, Kid Rock released his country-oriented eighth studio album,Born Free, produced byRick Rubin, and featuring guest appearances by Sheryl Crow andBob Seger.[4]
In 2011, Kid Rock was honored by theNAACP, which sparked protests stemming from his past display of the Confederate flag in his concerts.[32] During the ceremony, Kid Rock elaborated on his display of the flag, stating, "[I] never flew the flag with hate in my heart [...] I love America, I love Detroit, and I love black people."[32] Kid Rock's publicist announced that 2011 was the year he officially distanced himself from the flag.[32]
The following year, Kid Rock performed alongsideTravie McCoy andthe Roots in honor of Beastie Boys, during the band's induction to theRock and Roll Hall of Fame.[33][34][35] 2012 also saw the release of Kid Rock's ninth studio album,Rebel Soul; he said that he wanted the album to feel like agreatest hits album, but with new songs.[36] One of the songs on the album, "Cucci Galore", introduced Kid Rock'salter ego, Bobby Shazam.[37]
In 2013, Kid Rock performed on the "Best Night Ever" tour, where he motioned to charge no more than $20 for his tickets (equivalent to $27 in 2024).[5] The following year, he moved toWarner Bros. Records, releasing his only album on the label,First Kiss, which he self-produced.[5] The album debuted at number two on theBillboard 200 and sold more than 354,000 copies in the United States.[38][39] Subsequently, after leaving Warner Bros., Kid Rock signed with the country labelBroken Bow Records.[5]
On July 12, 2017, Kid Rock shared a photo of a "Kid Rock for US Senate" yard sign onTwitter.[40] However, he denied that he was running, citing his upcoming album release and tour.[41] He later clarified that the campaign was a hoax.[42] He donated $122,000, raised by selling "Kid Rock for U.S. Senate" merchandise, to a voter registration group.[43]
Also in July, he released two singles from his next album, "Po-Dunk" and "Greatest Show on Earth", both released on the same day.[5] In November of that year, he released his eleventh studio album,Sweet Southern Sugar. The same year also saw Kid Rock publicly advocate for measures against ticket scalpers at his shows by making tickets more affordable for fans.[44] Instead of getting paid for the show, he gets a percentage of concession and ticket sales.[45]
In November 2017, Kid Rock fired his publicist, Kirt Webster, after Webster was accused of sexual misconduct.[46]
In January 2018, theNational Hockey League announced Kid Rock as the headlining entertainer for theirJanuary 28 All-Star Game, sparking negative online responses from some hockey fans.[47][48] Former hockey player and commentatorJeremy Roenick praised the choice and condemned Kid Rock's critics.[48]
In March 2018, Kid Rock said he would perform on Lynyrd Skynyrd's final tour before the Southern rock band retired, alongside Hank Williams Jr., Bad Company,the Marshall Tucker Band and38 Special.[49]
Kid Rock released his first greatest hits album titledGreatest Hits: You Never Saw Coming on September 21, 2018.
On March 29, 2020, Kid Rock released his first single under the name "DJ Bobby Shazam", entitled "Quarantine", which featured anold-school hip-hop sound. The artist stated all proceeds from the single's sales will go to fightCOVID-19.[50]
During Kid Rock's 50th birthday livestream, he announced that he would be releasing atriple album consisting of a hip-hop disc, a country music disc and a rock disc which would contain 30 new songs and 20 previously unreleased songs; the first single from the album, "Don't Tell Me How To Live", featuring the bandMonster Truck, was released on November 18, 2021, and featured a rap rock sound reminiscent of hisDevil Without a Cause album.[51] On December 17, 2021, he released a cover of "Ala-Freaking-Bama" byTrace Adkins titled "Ala-Fuckin-Bama".[52][53]
On January 25, 2022, Kid Rock released a single, "We the People", in which he criticizes themedia,Anthony Fauci, face masks, COVID-19 restrictions, andBig Tech to the chorus of "Let's Go Brandon".[54] That same day, he also released "Rockin'" and "The Last Dance". On January 28, 2022, he announced on his upcomingBad Reputation Tour that he would not perform at venues that require masks and proof of COVID-19 vaccination and would cancel shows at such places.[55]
On March 10, 2022, Kid Rock announced his upcoming twelfth studio albumBad Reputation, which would include his five previously released singles. It was digitally released on March 21, while a physical release of the album occurred on April 6.[56]
In January 2023, Kid Rock collaborated with Fueled by 808,Austin Mahone, andJimmie Allen on the single "No Limits".[57]
In the bookIs Hip Hop Dead? The Past, Present, and Future of America's Most Wanted Music, author Mickey Hess identified Kid Rock as connectinghip-hop torap rock, due to having started out as a hip-hop artist, before shifting his style fromsample-based hip-hop to guitar-drivenalternative rock that fused hip-hop beats, boasting and fashion withhard rock guitar andSouthern rock attitude, influenced byclassic rock andcountry music.[58] He is a self-taught musician and has said that he can play every instrument used in his band.[1] According toThe Village Voice, "[Kid Rock's] own love and incorporation of his musical references isn't rooted in a nostalgia or a 'tribute,' but rather in his actively engaging the elements he finds compelling into a wholly new hodgepodge of his own invention."[59] Because of this unique musical approach, Kid Rock has been described as apostmodern artist.[60][61]American Songwriter says that Kid Rock's style ranges fromhard rap to hard rock.[62]CBS says that Kid Rock's style is a mix of "urban rap,rock and roll [and] country and western."[1] The musician jokingly described his own style as being "creatively confused".[63] Reviewing his compilation albumThe History of Rock,David Browne wrote that "Unlike most of hisrap-metal peers, Kid Rock doesn't merely have personality to burn (and a surprisingly likable one) but a sense of history as well. He may be the first rock star who viewsAmericana as not simplyblues, country, andboogie rock but classic hard rock and rap as well."[64] A 2015 piece by theDetroit Free Press said that Kid Rock reinvented "his persona from scrappyhip hop street kid to swaggeringrock-rap showman."[11] Covering him in a 1998 piece,MTV described his sound as having "heavy-metal licks and rap riffs".[65]AllMusic described him as a "country rap-rocker" and his music as "rap-meets-rock-meets-country".[66]MTV said that Kid Rock's albumDevil Without a Cause helped to "ignite the rap-rock genre" and that the musician broke through into mainstream success "during the peak of rap-rock andnü-metal".[67] In a 2015 interview withRolling Stone, Kid Rock disavowed nu metal, saying that the genre was "not melodic and doesn't stand the test of time."[68] In a review of his albumSweet Southern Sugar,Cryptic Rock said that afterDevil Without a Cause established him as a rap rock artist, "albums that were saturated inold school hip hop slowly but surely began to transform into the Southerncountry rock landscape that has built Kid Rock's persona."[69] In a review of his albumBorn Free,Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that the musician "has slowly abandoned rap for country as he crept closer to middle age",[70] and while reviewing the subsequent albumRebel Soul, Erlewine said that Kid Rock "[planted] his flag on that old-time rock & roll".[71]Billboard said that Kid Rock "fits comfortably into a modern country-rock landscape that seems practically tailor-made for him: a God-fearing good old boy with ahard-rock heart and anoutlaw-country spirit."[72] Kid Rock's influences includeBob Seger[11] andBeastie Boys.[4] Regarding his influences, Kid Rock said, "I don't think there isn't anything that hasn't influenced me musically."[63]
Summarizing his lyrical themes in a review of his albumCocky,Entertainment Weekly wrote of Kid Rock, "Anyone willing to chugBuds, smokepot, and salute the flag can find a place in Rock's unexpectedly optimistic dreamworld, where the sleaze nation commingles in a warped fantasy of pan-trash peace and harmony." The magazine categorized his lyrics as describing the "ideal of a world where rappers can sip whiskey with rednecks".[73] According to Kid Rock, a fundamental theme in the lyrics of his songs is that "there's still a lot of good left in people, no matter what they do", reflected in his lyrics for "Bawitdaba", which he dedicated to, among others, "topless dancers" and drug users. He explained in a 2000Rolling Stone interview, "I've got a lot of faith in people. Whether it's some kid with a trust fund that people tease because he's got a trust fund, you know. I think there's some good ones out there, just like I think there's some good crackheads out there. It works both ways."[74] Kid Rock developed a "redneck pimp" alter ego to complement his humorous lyrics.[74] According to Kid Rock, "I use straightforward words, you know. I'm not politically correct."[74]
His song "Cowboy" is considered a pioneering song in thecountry rap genre.[75]Cowboys & Indians claims that "Cowboy" had a major impact on the country music scene; the magazine wrote that artistsJason Aldean andBig & Rich, among others, were influenced by the song's country rap style.[6] Kid Rock also had an impact on hip-hop, serving as an influence on rappers likeYelawolf.[76]
In eighth grade, Ritchie began anon-and-off relationship with classmate Kelley South Russell that lasted for the next decade.[4][10][11] In summer 1993, Russell gave birth to their son, Robert James Ritchie Jr.[4][11] They raised a total of three children together, two of whom Ritchie believed to be his. They split up in late 1993 when Ritchie discovered that only one of the two was his.[11] He subsequently raised his son as a single father.[77]
In 2000,Rolling Stone reported that Ritchie was dating modelJaime King.[78] He began dating actressPamela Anderson in 2001 and they became engaged in April 2002, but ended their relationship in 2003.[4] They later reconciled and were married in July 2006.[79] Three months later, on November 10, it was announced that Anderson, who had been pregnant with Ritchie's child, had miscarried.[80] On November 27, she filed for divorce from Ritchie in Los Angeles County Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences.[81][82] Ritchie later claimed that the divorce was due to Anderson openly criticizing his mother and sister in front of his son.[83]
In 2014, Ritchie became a grandfather when his son's girlfriend gave birth to a daughter.[4] In November 2017, he became engaged to longtime girlfriend Audrey Berry.[84] The couple met not long after he and Anderson finalized their divorce in 2007.[85] By 2025, the couple were no longer together.[86]
Ritchie is an ordained minister and has afirearm collection.[87] He has calledNashville a part-time home since 2005, and also splits time between his nativeMichigan andAlabama.[88]
Ritchie oversees The Kid Rock Foundation, a charity that raises funds for multiple causes, including campaigns that sent "Kid Rock care packages" to U.S. military personnel stationed overseas.[6] Ritchie is an advocate for affordable concert tickets. He sells tickets at the lowest possible price to increase concert attendance among lower-income consumers and discourage scalping.[44][89] Instead of getting paid for the show, he gets a percentage of concession and ticket sales.[45]
In 1989, Ritchie became a shareholder of the independent record label Top Dog Records, formed by Alvin Williams and Earl Blunt of EB-Bran Productions, in 1988; Ritchie's investment in the company gave him 25% ownership.[12] In 2001, he filed a lawsuit to gain full control over the Top Dog record label, resulting in his receiving full ownership of the label in 2003.[24][90] Ritchie also founded Kid Rock's Made in Detroit restaurant and bar, which specializes in Southern-style cuisine.[91]
In March 1991 and again in September 1997, Ritchie facedmisdemeanor charges stemming from alcohol-related arrests in Michigan.[92]
Kid Rock wrote the song "Cool, Daddy Cool" which was later used in the 2001 filmOsmosis Jones. In the song, Kid Rock said the controversial lyrics "Young ladies, young ladies, I like 'em underage see, Some say that's statutory (But I say it's mandatory)", with Joe C. saying the mandatory line.[93]
In 2002, Kid Rock performed alongsideChuck D andGrandmaster Flash in tribute to slain DJJam Master Jay.[94] In September 2005, Kid Rock filled in forJohnny Van Zant, the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, on the band's hit "Sweet Home Alabama" at theHurricane Katrina benefit concert.[95]
Kid Rock's performance atSuper Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 drew criticism fromVeterans of Foreign Wars and SenatorZell Miller for cutting a hole in an American flag and wearing it as aponcho; Ritchie was accused of "desecrating" the flag.[4][96][97][98]
In January 2005, Ritchie performed at the inaugural address of reelected presidentGeorge W. Bush, sparking criticism fromconservative groups, due to singing about "how he sexually exploits every girl and then asks them if he can do it with their moms".[99]
Also in 2005, Ritchie was charged with assaulting a DJ in a strip club.[4][100]
In 2006, California pornographic film companyRed Light District attempted to distribute a 1999sex tape in which Kid Rock andScott Stapp, lead singer of the bandCreed, are seen partying and receivingoral sex fromgroupies; both Rock and Stapp filed with the California courts to sue the pornographers to stop the tape's distribution.[101][102]
At the2007 MTV Video Music Awards, Ritchie got into a fistfight withMötley Crüe drummerTommy Lee, another ex of Pamela Anderson's, and was charged with assault.[4][103] A month later, he was arrested and charged withbattery after fighting with aWaffle House customer.[4][104] He pleadedno contest to one count and was fined $1,000, as well as being required to perform 80 hours of community service and complete a six-houranger management course.[105]
In 2007 and 2008, Ritchie toured for theUnited Service Organizations.[106] Also in 2008, Ritchie recorded and made a music video for the song "Warrior" for aNational Guard advertising campaign.[31][107]
In 2011, Ritchie was honored by theNAACP, which sparked protests stemming from his past display of theConfederate flag in his concerts.[32] During the ceremony, Kid Rock elaborated on his display of the flag, stating, "[I] never flew the flag with hate in my heart [...] I love America, I love Detroit, and I love black people."[32] Ritchie's publicist announced that 2011 was the year he officially distanced himself from the flag.[32] Kid Rock stopped displaying the Confederate flag at his concerts in 2007.[32]
In 2012, Kid Rock performed alongside Travie McCoy and the Roots in honor of Beastie Boys, during the band's induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[33][34][35]
In 2013, Ritchie criticized Republican lawmakers in New York for passing laws that made it difficult for him to keep concert ticket prices low.[89]
In 2015, following theCharleston church shooting, the Michigan chapter of theNational Action Network protested outside of the Detroit Historical Museum which honored Ritchie; activists urged Ritchie to renounce theConfederate flag, which he had displayed in concerts from 2001 to 2006.[108][109] Ritchie wrote an email toFox News Channel hostMegyn Kelly, stating, "Please tell the people who are protesting to kiss my ass".[110] The same day, the National Action Network protestedChevrolet for sponsoring Ritchie's tour.[111]
In September 2016, Ritchie was criticized for allegedly saying "man, fuckColin Kaepernick" during a live performance of his song "Born Free".[108]
On April 6, 2018, Ritchie was inducted into the Celebrity Wing of theWWE Hall of Fame during the weekend ofWrestleMania 34.[112]
On November 30, 2019, Ritchie drew controversy after he was recorded making a series of inappropriate and inflammatory statements while intoxicated at his restaurant inNashville, including aboutOprah Winfrey andJoy Behar.[113] After receiving major pushback for his comments, Ritchie decided to close the Detroit branch of his restaurant in December 2019, located at theLittle Caesar's Arena. When asked for comment about the closure, he stated that "it's wise to go where you're celebrated, not tolerated".[114] In a June 2022 interview withTucker Carlson onTucker Carlson Originals: Life of a Rockstar, Ritchie said he had nothing to apologize for regarding the incident.[115][116][117]
In June 2021, Kid Rock attracted further controversy for using the word "faggot" onstage during a tirade against fans who were filming his performance.[118] He later defended his remarks while "reaffirming his love for his homosexual friends".[119][120] In July 2022 he faced additional accusations of homophobia after, on June 30, 2022, he posted a meme onTruth Social and on Twitter stating, "If you're anti-gun, you don't get to celebrate the4th of July, You would have never fought back. Enjoy yourpride month. Pussy."[121]
On April 3, 2023, Kid Rock posted a video on Twitter in which he is shown shooting cases ofBud Light beer cans with a submachine gun, which was seen as being in response to an advertising campaign byAnheuser-Busch that features transgender influencerDylan Mulvaney.[122][123][124] After the shooting, he exclaims, "Fuck Bud Light. Fuck Anheuser-Busch."[122] He was one of key conservative influencers, alongsideSebastian Gorka,Candace Owens andVince Dao whose push eventually led to the2023 Bud Light boycott and which caused a large drop in sales of Bud Light.[125][126] He later promoted the Happy Dad brand; which has partnered withCaitlyn Jenner, who is a transgender woman.[127] In August, he was pictured drinking a can of Bud Light at aColt Ford concert in Nashville.[128][129]
Ritchie is a supporter of theRepublican Party,[130] although he has routinely proclaimed himself aslibertarian philosophically,[89][131][132] stating he hassocially liberal views on topics like abortion and gay marriage butconservative views on economics.[132] Ritchie has advocated legalizing and taxingmarijuana,cocaine, andheroin.[87] He has also stated, "I don't think crazy people should have guns."[87] He was a vocal supporter of American military involvement in theIraq War.[133] Ritchie has met with presidentsBill Clinton,Barack Obama, andDonald Trump while they were in office.[78][134][135] Regarding his political views, Ritchie said, "I have friends everywhere.Democrat,Republican, this that and the other. ... We're all human beings first, Americans second. Let's find some common ground and get along." During his speech at the2018 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, he stated that he wanted to "body slam some Democrats".[136]
Ritchie supported Bill Clinton andGeorge W. Bush during their presidencies.[78][137] In 2008, Ritchie supported newly elected PresidentBarack Obama, saying that Obama's election was "a great thing for black people."[137] In 2012, Ritchie campaigned for Republican presidential candidateMitt Romney; the candidate used Ritchie's song "Born Free" as his campaign theme.[131][138][139][140][141][142] In 2015, Ritchie publicly endorsedBen Carson for theRepublican nomination forPresident of the United States in the2016 election.[143] In February 2016, he voiced approval forDonald Trump's campaign for the same office.[131] In December, Kid Rock sparked controversy for selling T-shirts supporting Trump at concerts, including one showing a map of the United States which labelled the states which had voted against Trump as "Dumbfuckistan".[108][144]
On July 12, 2017, Ritchie shared a photo of a "Kid Rock for US Senate" yard sign on Twitter. He also launched a website at kidrockforsenate.com, which sold merchandise bearing that inscription.[40] Several weeks later, he wrote a post on his blog stating that he was still "exploring my candidacy", and that, whether or not he ran, he wanted to register people to vote, because "although people are unhappy with the government, too few are even registered to vote or do anything about it." He added that he wanted "to help working class people in Michigan and America all while still calling out these jackass lawyers who call themselves politicians."[145] His statements sparked media speculation that he would try to run on the Republican ticket against sitting Michigan senatorDebbie Stabenow, as well as enthusiasm from some prominent Republicans, including formerNew York GovernorGeorge Pataki, who wrote on Twitter, "Kid Rock is exactly the kind of candidate the GOP needs right now."[146] In an October 2017 interview withHoward Stern, Ritchie put an end to the speculation, saying that he had never intended to run for Senate, adding rhetorically, "Who couldn't figure that out?".[147] He later clarified that the campaign was a joke that he had started after a Michigan state legislator encouraged him to run for Senate. He expressed surprise at the interest his potential candidacy had received, but also disappointment that some opposed to his candidacy had brought up his previous use of the Confederate flag to label him a racist.[42] He donated the $122,000 he had raised by selling "Kid Rock for U.S. Senate" merchandise toCRNC Action, a College Republican group.[43]
On July 18, 2024, Ritchie performed his song "American Bad Ass" for the2024 Republican National Convention with modified lyrics to show his support for Trump.[148] On March 31, 2025, Ritchie was in theOval Office for the signing of an executive order to help curb ticket scalping and bring “common sense” changes to the way live events are priced.[149]
| Award | Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Results | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MTV Video Music Awards | 1999 | Best Rock Video | Bawitaba | Nominated | |
| Best New Artist | Himself | Nominated | |||
| 2000 | Best Rock Video | Cowboy | Nominated | ||
| Best Male Video | Nominated | ||||
| Grammy Awards | 2000 | Best Hard Rock Performance | Bawitaba | Nominated | |
| Best New Artist | Himself | Nominated | |||
| American Music Awards | 2000 | Favorite Alternative Artist | Himself | Nominated | |
| Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist | Himself | Nominated | |||
| Grammy Awards | 2001 | Best Hard Rock Performance | American Bad Ass | Nominated | |
| Blockbuster Entertainment Awards | 2001 | Favorite Artist – Rock | Himself | Nominated | |
| Favorite Male Artist | Himself | Nominated | |||
| Country Music Association Awards | 2003 | Music Event of the Year | Picture | Nominated | |
| American Music Awards | 2003 | Favorite Pop/Rock Album | Cocky | Nominated | |
| Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist | Himself | Won | |||
| MTV Europe Music Awards | 2008 | Most Addictive Track | All Summer Long | Nominated | |
| World Music Awards | 2008 | World's Best Selling Pop/Rock Male Artist | Himself | Won | |
| World's Best Selling Pop Male Artist | Himself | Won | |||
| People's Choice Awards | 2009 | Favorite Rock Song | All Summer Long | Won | |
| Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | 2009 | Favorite Male Singer | Himself | Nominated | |
| MTV Europe Music Awards | 2009 | Best World Stage Live Performance | Himself | Nominated | |
| Grammy Awards | 2009 | Best Rock Album | Rock n Roll Jesus | Nominated | |
| Best Male Pop Vocal Performance | All Summer Long | Nominated | |||
| ECHO Awards | 2009 | Best International Male Artist | Himself | Nominated | |
| Single of the Year | All Summer Long | Won | |||
| CMT Music Awards | 2009 | Video of the Year | All Summer Long | Nominated | |
| Wide Open Country Video of the Year | Won | ||||
| Country Music Association Awards | 2010 | Musical Event of the Year | Can't You See | Nominated | |
| CMT Music Awards | 2010 | Collaborative Video of the Year | Collide | Nominated | |
| Billboard Music Awards | 2011 | Top Rock Album | Born Free | Nominated | |
| Academy of Country Music Awards | 2011 | Vocal Event of the Year | Good to Be Me | Nominated | |
| WWE Hall of Fame | 2018 | Celebrity Wing | Won |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Joe Dirt | Robbie | Live-action acting debut |
| Osmosis Jones | Kidney Rock | Voice | |
| 2003 | Biker Boyz | Dogg | |
| 2006 | Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector | Kid Rock | |
| 2012 | Americans | Troglodyte | Short film withSean Penn, also story |
| A Band Called Death | Himself | Documentary | |
| $ellebrity | Himself | Documentary | |
| 2014 | Who Is Vermin Supreme? An Outsider Odyssey | Himself | Documentary |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | The Simpsons | Kid Rock | Voice, episode: "Kill the Alligator and Run" |
| 2002 | King of the Hill | Kid Rock | Voice, episode: "The Fat and the Furious" |
| 2003 | Stripperella | Kid Rock/Stiffy Woods | Voice, episode: "You Only Lick Twice"; also performed the seriestheme song "Erotica" |
| 2005 | Fat Actress | Kid Rock | Episode: "Charlie's Angels" |
| Stacked | Delivery man | Episode: "Nobody Says I Love You" | |
| 2006 | CSI: NY | Kid Rock | Episode: "All Access" |
| 2014 | 30 for 30 | Narrator | Documentary series; episode: "Bad Boys" |
| Silicon Valley | Kid Rock | Episode: "Minimum Viable Product" |
Kid Rock, otherwise known as Bob Ritchie, tweeted the Kid Rock For Senate website is real and tweeted a photo of a mock lawn sign.
