Kid Rock, born Robert James Ritchie, on January 17, 1971 in Romeo, Michigan has become a music icon over his eighteen years in the industry. Very few performers have enjoyed the massive crossover appeal of Kid Rock who has enjoyed success in the genres of Rap/Hip Hop, rock, metal, country, and now the blues. It would seem there is nothing Kid Rock takes on that he doesn't succeed at in his professional life which is a bit of a contrast to his all too public personal struggles at times. With one of the most diverse fan bases in all of music Kid Rock (KR) looks like he will be a major player for as long as he wants to.
Kid Rock grew up in what most would describe as a typical small town backdrop. His father owned a car dealership, his family was not marred by divorce or any known major problems, and KR was generally a normal teen aside from what was a undeniable talent for music and performing. By the age of 19 he had a major label deal with Jive Records under whom he released Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast. Nobody is ever going to say it was his best work, but Jive didn't support the album or KR giving him an honest chance to make it. At the time another rapper known as Vanilla Ice hit the seen and the executives at Jive felt there was only room for one white rapper and dropped him without so much as a second thought.
Kid wasn't out of work for long and signed on with Continuum Records and released two albums, Polyfuze Method and Fire it up before they went bankrupt. Kid realized nobody was beating the door down to sign him and the deals that were offered were nearly worthless. Out of options he formed his own label called Top Dog Records. he spent what little spare time he had teaching himself to play the guitar so he could move beyond being solely known as a rapper and dee-jay. Nobody can say KR didn't pay his dues to make things work, he worked as a janitor and even collected bottles and cans for their deposit value to help pay for studio time. When he needed more time than he had money he bartered whatever services he could to make things work. To say he was operating on a shoestring is an understatement. The only financial help he accepted along the way was a loan from his father to help press his recording of Early Morning Stoned Pimp, and set up a showcase to display his new sound and talents to record executives. Atlantic Records immediately signed KR, no other label accepted his invitation.
Atlantic realized immediate rewards as his debut with them, Devil Without A Cause, a rap/metal album went on to sell 11 million copies and made Kid Rock a household name and a network performance with Aerosmith at the Music Awards show. His single Bawitdabaw became the feature single on an album that at times poured out the story of his life on some tracks. With only one album he had risen above all others in the genre such as Rage Against the machine Limp Bizkit. He quickly followed up with albums titled The History of Rock, American Bad Ass, and Cocky. His biggest mainstream hit was the haunting song Picture which was performed with Sheryl Crow. By the time Live Trucker was released he was regularly seen in down south performing with country music legends like hank Williams Jr.
Times weren't all good though. he has dealt with assault charges, drug problems, a terrible marriage and divorce from Pamela Anderson who added KR to her list of musicians she lured into her web, and the ongoing challenges of fatherhood, something he plainly keeps as private as possible. he is once again dealing with an assault charge which has made the headlines. In the midst of a rather rough couple of years he has managed to put out an album the critics and fans finally agree is a gem. His single All Summer Long reached #23 in the U.S. Billboard 100 while climbing to #4 on the hot country 100 at the same time. Unlike other releases this one was global charting at #1 in Australia, Ireland, Germany, Austria, the U.K., Sweden, and Switzerland! No small feat for any artist!
Kid Rock though has become more than a musician, he is a savvy businessman that has elevated his earnings through shrewd marketing, a flexible image which never breaks but does bend, and he has ventured out quietly to a number of philanthropic ventures. Kid Rocjk has made a point of visiting U.S. Soldiers in Iraq where he doesn't just pop in and stay for an hour to shake hands, he performs, meets and greets, and tours the various bases, even those deemed to be a risk. During the 2008 elections he made his political beliefs known supporting a number of Republican candidates, some won, some lost.
In the final analysis Kid Rock is an enigma. he has bucked everything that seemed to be logical choosing to do what he felt was best and more often than not he has been right. We often here of his troubles and mistakes, but rarely do we hear about the many good things he quietly does. He is an artist, a father, a businessman, and like us all a human with flaws. The flaws are okay though, it makes us appreciate him that much more.