Kid Rock (real name Robert Ritchie, born January 17, 1971 in Romeo, Michigan) is a performer of rap music - notably combining rap with the sounds of more traditional rock music and even country music.

Rock derives his name from his early years rapping in parking lots and bars, when people in the audience would say, "Look at that white kid rock." He dropped "white," and his stage name was born.

He began his hip-hop career at the age of 15. He became well-known in the Mt. Clemens housing project because of his unique style of rapping. He later moved to New York City, where he was said to have lived just below Queen Latifah. He got to know a lot of the area's rappers and landed a tour deal with Ice Cube and Too $hort when he was only 18 years old.

In 1989, his first album, on the Jive label, was Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast, produced by Too $hort, D Nice and others. This defined his outlandish attitude, although the album was not a success. When a college DJ played the song from his album "Yodelin' in the Valley," he was fined $25,000 by the FCC. The president of the university described the song as "the most indecent thing ever heard".

After the release of his first album, Rock attended an autograph signing at Record Time in Roseville, Michigan to promote his CD. While there, a young musician got into an argument with him over his rise to fame. This young musician was a 17 year old Marshall Mathers III, who later became famous under the name of Eminem.

Kid Rock continued to produce albums, however. In 1993 The Polyfuze Method was released. In 1996, Early Morning Stoned Pimp dropped along with the EP, Fire it Up.

In 1998, he joined Atlantic Records and released his famous album Devil Without a Cause. This was his first real success. The Detroit Red Wings, after their victory, chose the opening phrase from "Early Morning Stoned Pimp" as their victory chant.

In 2000, Kid Rock released a compilation album, The History of Rock, which included tracks from many of his previous albums. Following this up he released his album Cocky which features all new songs.

Rock dated actress Pamela Anderson, having an adulterous affair with her while she was still married to musician Tommy Lee. He is now dating actress Jesse Jane. Earlier in his career he performed with a white midget rapper named Joe C, who later died of complications of celiac disease. Many people adored Joe C. Rock has also recently gained country music acclaim for such notable performances as "Picture", a duet with Sheryl Crow; his performance of "Luckenbach, Texas" on the Waylon Jennings tribute album I've Always Been Crazy; and his appearance on Country Music Television's Crossroads episode with Hank Williams, Jr.. Initially scheduled to perform at one of the many inaugural galas for President Bush in early 2005, largely at the request of the Bush daughters, Rock was later asked not to perform out of respect for the town elders.

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