Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kid Rock
How Kid Rock built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Kid Rock, born Robert James Ritchie, is an American musician known for blending hip-hop, rock, and country influences. He started in the Detroit hip-hop scene and gained mainstream recognition with a rap rock sound before transitioning to country rock. A self-taught musician, Kid Rock claims proficiency in playing all instruments used by his backing band. He has been heavily involved in the production of the majority of his albums.
1988: Production of Demos
In 1988, Clark produced a series of demos with Kid Rock, which led to offers from major record labels.
1989: Shareholder in Top Dog Records
In 1989, Kid Rock became a shareholder in Top Dog Records, an independent record label.
1990: Debut Album Release
In 1990, Kid Rock released his debut album, "Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast", on Jive Records.
1990: Signing with Jive Records and Release of Debut Album
In 1990, at age 17, Kid Rock signed with Jive Records and released his debut album, "Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast".
1991: Sampling Metallica's "Sad but True"
In May 2000, Kid Rock released the song "American Bad Ass" which sampled Metallica's 1991 song "Sad but True".
1992: Signing with Continuum and Collaboration with Insane Clown Posse
In 1992, Kid Rock signed with Continuum record label and met Insane Clown Posse, leading to a guest appearance on their debut album, "Carnival of Carnage".
1993: Recording 'The Polyfuze Method'
In 1993, Kid Rock recorded his second studio album, "The Polyfuze Method", with producer Mike E. Clark, who helped give the album a more rock-oriented sound.
1994: Formation of Twisted Brown Trucker
By 1994, Kid Rock's live performances increasingly incorporated live instrumentation, leading to the formation of the rock band Twisted Brown Trucker.
1996: Release of 'Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp'
In 1996, Kid Rock released his most rock-oriented album to date, "Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp".
1997: Signing with Atlantic Records
In 1997, Kid Rock signed with Atlantic Records after Jason Flom, head of Lava Records, attended one of his performances.
1998: Breakthrough with 'Devil Without a Cause'
In 1998, Kid Rock achieved mainstream success with his breakthrough album, "Devil Without a Cause", which sold 14 million copies.
1999: Commercial Success of Devil Without a Cause
In 1999, "Devil Without a Cause" became a commercial success, selling over 14 million copies; Kid Rock performed at Woodstock 1999 and appeared at the MTV VMA.
1999: Release of "Cowboy"
In 1999, Kid Rock released "Cowboy", considered a pioneering song in the country rap genre.
May 2000: Release of The History of Rock
In May 2000, Kid Rock released the compilation album "The History of Rock", featuring the single "American Bad Ass".
November 2001: Release of 'Cocky'
In November 2001, Kid Rock released his fifth studio album, "Cocky", dedicated to Joe C. and featuring the successful single "Picture" with Sheryl Crow.
2001: Acting Roles
In 2001, Kid Rock appeared in the comedy film "Joe Dirt" and voiced "Kidney Rock" in the film "Osmosis Jones".
2001: Release of 'Cocky'
In 2001, Kid Rock released the album "Cocky", noted for blending hip-hop, country, and rock elements.
2001: Display of Confederate Flag
Starting in 2001, Kid Rock displayed the Confederate flag in concerts.
2002: Theme Song for Stacy Keibler
In 2002, Kid Rock covered ZZ Top's "Legs" as a theme song for WWE Diva Stacy Keibler, which appeared on the album "WWF Forceable Entry".
2002: Cocky Tour and Girls of Summer Tour
In 2002, Kid Rock performed on the Cocky Tour and opened for Aerosmith with Run-DMC on the Girls of Summer Tour, during which Uncle Kracker began his solo career and was replaced by Paradime.
2002: Release of "Picture"
In 2002, Kid Rock released "Picture", which became one of his best-selling singles overall.
2003: Full Control of Top Dog Records
In 2003, Kid Rock gained full ownership of the Top Dog record label after filing a lawsuit.
2003: Release of Self-Titled Album and Waylon Jennings Tribute
In 2003, Kid Rock's self-titled sixth album was released, featuring a cover of Bad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love". He also contributed to a Waylon Jennings tribute album.
2006: End of Confederate Flag display
Kid Rock's display of the Confederate flag ended in 2006.
July 2007: Rolling Stone Cover
In July 2007, Kid Rock was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine for the second time.
2007: Release of 'Rock n Roll Jesus'
In 2007, Kid Rock's album "Rock n Roll Jesus" was released, marking a shift towards a country rock style.
2008: Recording "Warrior" for National Guard
In 2008, Kid Rock recorded and made a music video for the song "Warrior" for a National Guard advertising campaign.
2008: Release of "All Summer Long"
In 2008, Kid Rock released "All Summer Long", one of his best-selling singles.
2010: Release of 'Born Free'
In 2010, Kid Rock released his country-oriented eighth studio album, "Born Free", which was produced by Rick Rubin and featured guest appearances by Sheryl Crow and Bob Seger.
2012: Campaigning for Mitt Romney
In 2012, Kid Rock campaigned for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney; the candidate used Kid Rock's song "Born Free" as his campaign theme.
2012: Beastie Boys Induction and Release of 'Rebel Soul'
In 2012, Kid Rock performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction for the Beastie Boys and released his ninth studio album, "Rebel Soul", introducing his alter ego, Bobby Shazam, on the track "Cucci Galore".
2013: "Best Night Ever" Tour
In 2013, Kid Rock performed on the "Best Night Ever" tour, offering tickets for no more than $20.
2015: Confederate Flag Controversy
In 2015, the Michigan chapter of the National Action Network protested outside the Detroit Historical Museum, which honored Ritchie, urging him to renounce the Confederate flag. Ritchie responded with an email to Megyn Kelly, and the National Action Network protested Chevrolet for sponsoring his tour in 2015.
September 2016: Criticism for Colin Kaepernick comment
In September 2016, Kid Rock faced criticism for allegedly saying "man, fuck Colin Kaepernick" during a live performance of his song "Born Free".
October 2017: End of Senate run speculation
In an October 2017 interview with Howard Stern, Kid Rock put an end to the speculation about a Senate run, saying that he never intended to run and that the campaign was a joke.
January 2018: Headlining NHL All-Star Game
In January 2018, the NHL announced Kid Rock as the headlining entertainer for their January 28 All-Star Game, which sparked some negative reactions.
March 2018: Lynyrd Skynyrd's final tour
In March 2018, Kid Rock announced he would perform on Lynyrd Skynyrd's final tour before the Southern rock band retired. Other artists joining the tour include Hank Williams Jr., Bad Company, the Marshall Tucker Band and 38 Special.
April 6, 2018: Induction into WWE Hall of Fame
On April 6, 2018, Kid Rock was inducted into the Celebrity Wing of the WWE Hall of Fame during the weekend of WrestleMania 34.
September 21, 2018: Greatest Hits Album Release
On September 21, 2018, Kid Rock released his first greatest hits album, titled Greatest Hits: You Never Saw Coming.
2018: WWE Hall of Fame speech
During his speech at the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, Kid Rock stated that he wanted to "body slam some Democrats".
November 30, 2019: Controversial statements at Nashville restaurant
On November 30, 2019, Kid Rock drew controversy after he was recorded making inappropriate statements about Oprah Winfrey and Joy Behar while intoxicated at his Nashville restaurant.
December 2019: Closure of Detroit restaurant branch
In December 2019, following backlash from his controversial comments, Kid Rock decided to close the Detroit branch of his restaurant, located at the Little Caesar's Arena, stating, "it's wise to go where you're celebrated, not tolerated".
March 29, 2020: Release of "Quarantine" Single
On March 29, 2020, Kid Rock, under the name "DJ Bobby Shazam", released his first single titled "Quarantine", featuring an old-school hip-hop sound. All proceeds from the single's sales were to be donated to fight COVID-19.
June 2021: Controversy over homophobic slur
In June 2021, Kid Rock attracted controversy for using the word "faggot" onstage during a tirade against fans filming his performance.
November 18, 2021: Release of "Don't Tell Me How To Live"
On November 18, 2021, Kid Rock released the first single, "Don't Tell Me How To Live", featuring the band Monster Truck, from his upcoming triple album. The song has a rap rock sound reminiscent of his Devil Without a Cause album.
December 17, 2021: Release of "Ala-Fuckin-Bama" Cover
On December 17, 2021, Kid Rock released a cover of "Ala-Freaking-Bama" by Trace Adkins, titled "Ala-Fuckin-Bama".
January 25, 2022: Release of "We the People", "Rockin'", and "The Last Dance"
On January 25, 2022, Kid Rock released the single "We the People", which criticizes the media, Anthony Fauci, face masks, COVID-19 restrictions, and Big Tech. On the same day, he also released "Rockin'" and "The Last Dance".
January 28, 2022: Announces Mask and Vaccine Policy for Bad Reputation Tour
On January 28, 2022, Kid Rock announced that on his upcoming Bad Reputation Tour he would not perform at venues that require masks and proof of COVID-19 vaccination, and he would cancel shows at such places.
March 10, 2022: Announcement of "Bad Reputation" Album
On March 10, 2022, Kid Rock announced his upcoming twelfth studio album Bad Reputation, which would include his five previously released singles.
June 2022: Interview on Tucker Carlson Originals
In a June 2022 interview with Tucker Carlson on Tucker Carlson Originals: Life of a Rockstar, Kid Rock said he had nothing to apologize for regarding the incident from November 2019.
June 30, 2022: Controversial Tweet
On June 30, 2022, Kid Rock posted a meme on Truth Social and on Twitter stating, "If you're anti-gun, you don't get to celebrate the 4th of July, You would have never fought back. Enjoy your pride month. Pussy."
July 2022: Accusations of homophobia
In July 2022, Kid Rock faced additional accusations of homophobia after his June 30, 2022, post on Truth Social and Twitter.
January 2023: Collaboration on "No Limits"
In January 2023, Kid Rock collaborated with Fueled by 808, Austin Mahone, and Jimmie Allen on the single "No Limits".
April 3, 2023: Bud Light boycott video
On April 3, 2023, Kid Rock posted a video on Twitter showing him shooting cases of Bud Light beer cans with a submachine gun in response to Anheuser-Busch's advertising campaign featuring Dylan Mulvaney, leading to a boycott.
July 18, 2024: Republican National Convention Performance
On July 18, 2024, Kid Rock performed his song "American Bad Ass" for the 2024 Republican National Convention with modified lyrics to show his support for Trump.
March 31, 2025: Visit to the Oval Office
On March 31, 2025, Kid Rock was in the Oval 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.
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