Childhood and Education Journey of Kid Rock in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Kid Rock, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Kid Rock, born Robert James Ritchie, is an American musician known for his diverse musical style. Starting in hip-hop, he gained mainstream fame with rap rock before transitioning to country rock. A self-taught and multi-instrumentalist, he is a singer, rapper, and songwriter who has overseen production on the majority of his albums.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1993: Birth of Kid Rock's Son and Relationship Split

In the summer of 1993, Kelley South Russell, Kid Rock's classmate, gave birth to his son, Robert James Ritchie Jr. Later that year, in late 1993, they ended their on-and-off relationship after Kid Rock discovered that only one of the two children they were raising together was his.

2005: Kid Rock's Part-Time Home in Nashville

Since 2005, Kid Rock has considered Nashville a part-time home, splitting his time between there, his native Michigan, and Alabama.

2007: Kid Rock Stops Displaying Confederate Flag at Concerts

Kid Rock stopped displaying the Confederate flag at his concerts since 2007.

2008: Support for Barack Obama

In 2008, Ritchie supported newly elected President Barack Obama, saying that Obama's election was "a great thing for black people."

2012: Campaigning for Mitt Romney

In 2012, Ritchie campaigned for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney; the candidate used Ritchie's song "Born Free" as his campaign theme.

2014: Kid Rock Becomes a Grandfather

In 2014, Kid Rock became a grandfather when his son's girlfriend gave birth to a daughter.

2015: Endorsement of Ben Carson

In 2015, Ritchie publicly endorsed Ben Carson for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 2016 election.

2015: Charleston church shooting protest

In 2015, following the Charleston church shooting, the Michigan chapter of the National Action Network protested outside of the Detroit Historical Museum which honored Ritchie. They urged Ritchie to renounce the Confederate flag, which he had displayed in concerts from 2001 to 2006. Ritchie responded with an email to Megyn Kelly, and the National Action Network protested Chevrolet for sponsoring Ritchie's tour.

February 2016: Approval of Donald Trump's campaign

In February 2016, Ritchie voiced approval for Donald Trump's campaign for the same office.

October 2017: End to Senate run speculation

In October 2017, Ritchie put an end to the speculation of a senate run and clarified that the campaign was a joke. He donated the $122,000 he had raised by selling "Kid Rock for U.S. Senate" merchandise to CRNC Action, a College Republican group.

2018: WWE Hall of Fame speech

During his speech at the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, Ritchie stated that he wanted to "body slam some Democrats".

June 30, 2022: Posting controversial meme

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."

April 3, 2023: Shooting Bud Light beer in protest

On April 3, 2023, Kid Rock posted a video on Twitter in which he is shown shooting cases of Bud Light beer cans with a submachine gun, in response to an advertising campaign by Anheuser-Busch that features transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. After the shooting, he exclaims, "Fuck Bud Light. Fuck Anheuser-Busch."

July 18, 2024: Performance at Republican National Convention

On July 18, 2024, Ritchie performed his song "American Bad Ass" for the 2024 Republican National Convention with modified lyrics to show his support for Trump.

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