Kid rock photos biography book
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Kid Rock
(1971-)
Who Is Kid Rock?
Kid Rock’s musical journey is one that has encompassed underground Detroit rap, heavy metal and country rock, and by finding the perfect blend of all three, he turned an underwhelming career into a huge success. From early controversy over sexualized lyrics to selling 35 million records worldwide and marrying (and divorcing) Pamela Anderson, it’s been a wild ride for one of the wild men of rap.
Detroit, D-Nice and a Debut
Kid Rock was born Robert James Ritchie on January 17, 1971, in Romeo, Michigan, a small rural town north of the Detroit metro area. His father was a car dealer who owned a six-acre orchard where the young Ritchie would work along with his three siblings. He became interested in hip hop in the 1980s, joining a breakdance crew and teaching himself to rap and DJ. From there he began performing at local parties as part of a rap group called The Beast Crew and met D-Nice, a member of KRS-One’s Boogie Down Productions. This led to an opening slot at a BDP concert, and D-Nice, who was signed to Jive Records, helped Kid Rock land a deal with the same label.
Heavily influenced by the Beastie Boys and their classic album Licensed to Ill, Kid Rock’s debut, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast, was released in 1990. Rolling Ston • The home I grew up in... was a beautiful, very middle-class American colonial house. It was set over six acres of land and there was an apple orchard out the back. My dad got me selling the apples to our neighbours at an early age. When I was a child I wanted to be... a performer, ever since I can remember. My spirit has always been in rock'n'roll; and, yes, it is everything I thought it would be. The moment that changed me for ever... I was riding a tractor when I was young – about five years old – and my brother fell off. His injuries resulted in him losing one of his legs. I think everyone has a definitive moment at some point, when you decide you must live every moment to its fullest. My greatest inspiration... My son, in every way. He inspires me to get up in the morning, and in some regards he has made me more careful. Children can balance you out sometimes, which is something I was seriously in need of. My real-life villain... Oprah Winfrey, she rubs me up the wrong way. I just don't believe her. Maybe it's because I'm not one of the 150 million brainwashed women who heed her every word. My style icon... John Lee Hooker. If I could change one thing about myself... I'd change the bimbo attractor chip that God
My Secret Life: Kid Rock, Musician, age 37