Kid Rock facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kid Rock
Kid Rock performing in 2013
Background information
Birth name	Robert James Ritchie
Also known as	Bobby Shazam
Born	(1971-01-17) January 17, 1971 (age 54) Romeo, Michigan, U.S.
Genres	Rock hip-hop country heavy metal
Occupation(s)	Musician singer rapper songwriter
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1988–present
Labels	Top Dog Broken Bow Warner Bros. Lava Atlantic Jive
Spouse(s)	Pamela Anderson ​ ​ (m. 2006; div. 2007)​
Children	1
Relatives	Jill Ritchie (sister)

Robert James Ritchie (born January 17, 1971), known as Kid Rock, is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He started his career in the Detroit hip-hop scene. He became very popular with a rap rock sound. Later, he changed his music style to country rock. He taught himself to play many instruments. He has also helped produce almost all of his albums.

Kid Rock began as a rapper. His first album, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast, came out in 1990. His albums Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast and Cocky (2001) mixed hip-hop, country, and rock music. His famous song "Cowboy" (1999) helped create the country rap style. His biggest hit songs are "Picture" (2002) and "All Summer Long" (2008). Since his 2007 album Rock n Roll Jesus, his music has mostly been country rock. Kid Rock supports the U.S. Republican Party and has conservative views.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Kid Rock was born Robert James Ritchie in Romeo, Michigan, on January 17, 1971. His parents, Susan and William Ritchie, owned car dealerships. He grew up in a big house with an apple orchard. He went to Romeo High School. His younger sister, Jill Ritchie, is an actress.

In the 1980s, Kid Rock became interested in hip hop. He learned to breakdance, rap, and DJ. He performed in talent shows around Detroit. At age 15, he moved out to live with friends in the city.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Out and First Album (1988–1991)

Kid Rock started his music career in the late 1980s. He was part of a hip-hop group called the Beast Crew. He met rapper D-Nice, which led to him opening shows for Boogie Down Productions.

He also met producer Mike E. Clark. Clark was impressed by Kid Rock's energetic performances. Kid Rock used his own equipment to make beats. In 1988, Clark produced some demo songs with Kid Rock. This led to offers from six major record labels.

In 1989, Kid Rock became a part-owner of "Top Dog" Records. At 17, he signed with Jive Records. His first album, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast, came out in 1990. Kid Rock toured nationally to promote the album. He toured with artists like Ice Cube and Too Short. During this time, he also met and became friends with Eminem.

New Labels and Sound Changes (1992–1995)

In 1992, Kid Rock signed with Continuum, an independent record label. He also met the hip-hop group Insane Clown Posse. In 1993, Kid Rock recorded his second album, The Polyfuze Method. He worked with producer Mike E. Clark again. They aimed for a more rock-oriented sound on this album.

Kid Rock also released his "Bootleg" cassette series. This helped keep local fans interested in his music. Later, he recorded an EP called Fire It Up. This EP included the heavy rock song "I Am the Bullgod". It also had a cover of Hank Williams Jr.'s country song "A Country Boy Can Survive".

By 1994, Kid Rock started using more live instruments in his shows. He formed his rock band, Twisted Brown Trucker. He also discovered he could sing, which led him to sing more in his music. Kid Rock gained many fans, especially "white kids who liked listening to gangsta rap". This included local rapper Joe C, who became Kid Rock's hype man on stage.

Becoming a National Star (1997–2000)

Kid Rock's lawyer, Tommy Valentino, helped him get articles in big magazines. In 1997, Jason Flom from Lava Records saw Kid Rock perform. Kid Rock signed with Atlantic Records and received $150,000.

By this time, Kid Rock had created his unique stage style. He wanted to make a "redneck rock 'n' roll rap" album. This led to his fourth album, Devil Without a Cause. The album was a huge success. It sold millions of copies. Kid Rock toured with Limp Bizkit and performed at Woodstock 1999. His song "Bawitdaba" became a breakthrough hit.

In 1999, Kid Rock voiced himself in an episode of The Simpsons. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 2000. Sadly, his friend and collaborator Joe C. passed away. In May 2000, Kid Rock released the album The History of Rock. He also joined Metallica on their 2000 Summer Sanitarium Tour. The History of Rock sold over 2 million copies.

Changing Music Style (2001–2008)

Kid Rock appeared in the comedy film Joe Dirt in 2001. He also voiced "Kidney Rock" in the animated film Osmosis Jones. In November 2001, he released his fifth album, Cocky. This album was dedicated to Joe C. The song "Picture", featuring Sheryl Crow, became a big hit. It introduced Kid Rock to even more fans.

In 2002, Kid Rock covered ZZ Top's "Legs". This song was used as a theme for WWE Diva Stacy Keibler. In 2003, Kid Rock gained full control of the Top Dog record label. His self-titled sixth album also came out in 2003. This album moved his music further away from hip-hop. The main song was a cover of "Feel Like Makin' Love" by Bad Company.

Kid Rock performing in Denver, Colorado in 2006

In 2007, Kid Rock released his seventh album, Rock n Roll Jesus. This album was his first to reach #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. It sold over 5 million copies. The song "All Summer Long" became a worldwide hit. It mixed parts of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London".

Kid Rock performing for the USO with Kellie Pickler and Zac Brown in 2008

In 2008, Kid Rock recorded "Warrior" for a National Guard ad campaign.

Recent Music and Activities (2009–present)

In 2010, Kid Rock released his country-style album, Born Free. It was produced by Rick Rubin and featured Sheryl Crow and Bob Seger. In 2011, Kid Rock was honored by the NAACP. He explained that he loved America and all people. His publicist said he officially stopped using the Confederate flag that year.

In 2012, Kid Rock performed to honor the Beastie Boys. This was during their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He also released his ninth album, Rebel Soul. One song, "Cucci Galore", introduced his alter ego, Bobby Shazam.

In 2013, Kid Rock toured and kept ticket prices low. He wanted tickets to cost no more than $20. In 2014, he moved to Warner Bros. Records. He released First Kiss, which he produced himself. The album was very successful. After leaving Warner Bros., he signed with Broken Bow Records, a country label.

In 2017, Kid Rock joked about running for U.S. Senate. He sold "Kid Rock for US Senate" merchandise. He later said it was a hoax to encourage people to vote. He donated the money raised to a voter registration group. In November 2017, he released his eleventh album, Sweet Southern Sugar. He also worked to make concert tickets more affordable for fans.

In January 2018, Kid Rock was the main performer for the 2018 NHL All-Star Game. In March 2018, he announced he would perform on Lynyrd Skynyrd's final tour.

Kid Rock released a greatest hits album in September 2018. In March 2020, he released a song called "Quarantine" as "DJ Bobby Shazam". All money from the song went to fight COVID-19. In 2021, he announced a new triple album. The first song from it, "Don't Tell Me How To Live", came out in November 2021.

On January 25, 2022, Kid Rock released "We the People". This song criticized the media and COVID-19 rules. He also released "Rockin'" and "The Last Dance". He announced that he would not perform at places that required masks or proof of vaccination. His twelfth album, Bad Reputation, was released digitally in March 2022. In January 2023, Kid Rock worked with other artists on the song "No Limits".

Musical Style and Artistry

Kid Rock at Camp Phoenix in 2007

Kid Rock started as a hip-hop artist. He then mixed hip-hop beats with hard rock guitar and Southern rock attitude. His music is influenced by classic rock and country music. He taught himself to play every instrument in his band.

One writer said Kid Rock's music is not just a tribute to old styles. Instead, he takes parts he likes and creates something new. This unique approach has led some to call him a postmodern artist. His style ranges from hard rap to hard rock. Some describe his music as a mix of "urban rap, rock and roll [and] country and western." Kid Rock himself jokingly called his style "creatively confused."

MTV said his album Devil Without a Cause helped start the "rap-rock genre." They noted he became famous during the peak of rap-rock and nü-metal. However, Kid Rock later said he didn't like nu metal. He felt it wasn't melodic and wouldn't last. After Devil Without a Cause, his music slowly changed. It moved from old school hip hop to country rock.

His song "Cowboy" is seen as a very important song in the country rap style. It influenced many country artists. Kid Rock also influenced hip-hop artists like Yelawolf.

Personal Life

Kid Rock and former spouse Pamela Anderson in 2003

In 1993, Kid Rock had a son, Robert James Ritchie Jr., with Kelley South Russell. He raised his son as a single father.

He dated actress Pamela Anderson starting in 2001. They got engaged in 2002 but broke up in 2003. They later got back together and married in July 2006. They divorced in November 2006.

In 2014, Kid Rock became a grandfather. In November 2017, he got engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Audrey Berry. They met in Detroit after his divorce in 2007. He asked her out, and they had their first date the next day.

Kid Rock is an ordained minister. He also collects firearms. He lives part-time in Nashville, Tennessee, and also spends time in Detroit and Alabama.

Politics and Views

Ritchie at the White House in 2017

Kid Rock has stated that he believes "crazy people should not have guns." He supported American military actions in the Iraq War. He has met with presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. He believes people should find common ground and get along. During a speech in 2018, he joked about "body slamming some Democrats."

He supported Bill Clinton and George W. Bush when they were presidents. In 2008, he supported Barack Obama's election. In 2012, he campaigned for Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Romney used Kid Rock's song "Born Free" for his campaign. In 2015, Kid Rock supported Ben Carson for president. In 2016, he approved of Donald Trump's campaign. He caused some discussion by selling T-shirts supporting Trump. One shirt showed states that voted against Trump as "Dumbfuckistan."

In 2017, Kid Rock shared a photo of a "Kid Rock for US Senate" sign. He launched a website selling merchandise. He later said he was exploring running for office. He wanted to help working-class people and encourage voting. Some Republicans supported his idea. However, in October 2017, he said he never planned to run. He said the campaign was a joke. He was surprised by the interest it got. He donated the $122,000 he raised to a College Republican group.

Discography

• Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast (1990)
• The Polyfuze Method (1993)
• Devil Without a Cause (1998)
• Cocky (2001)
• Kid Rock (2003)
• Rock n Roll Jesus (2007)
• Born Free (2010)
• Rebel Soul (2012)
• First Kiss (2015)
• Sweet Southern Sugar (2017)
• Bad Reputation (2022)

Awards and Nominations

Film and Television Appearances

Film

Television

Tours

• Straight from the Underground Tour (1990)
• Warped Tour (1998)
• Devil Without a Cause (1998–1999)
• M2K (2000)
• Summer Sanitarium Tour (2000)
• History of Rock Tour (2000)
• Cocky Tour (2002)
• Girls of Summer (2002)
• Rock N' Roll Pain Train Tour (2004)
• Live Trucker (2006)
• Ballroom Blitz Tour (2007)
• Rock N' Roll Revival Tour (2008)
• Rock N' Rebels Tour (2008–2009)
• The Circle Tour (2010)
• Born Free Tour (2011)
• Care Tour (2011)
• Rebel Soul Tour (2013)
• $20 Best Night Ever Tour (2013)
• Because We Can Tour (2013)
• Rock N' Rollin Tour (2014)
• First Kiss (2015)
• Kid Rock 2016 Tour (2016)
• American Rock N' Roll Tour (2018)
• Red Blooded Rock 'n' Roll Redneck Extravaganza (2018)
• Hot September Nights (2019)
• Bad Reputation Tour (2022)
• Rock the Country Tour (2024)

See also

In Spanish: Kid Rock para niños