During a recent interview with Billboard, Kid Rock discussed his upcoming Christian album “Halfway 2 Jesus” (out October 17). Amid the chat, the far-right leaning musician expressed a desire to become “less polarizing.” Ironically, he also admitted to using AI on the record, which is likely to cause more polarization.
Rock said the following:
“This (album) is about forgiveness and second chances, trying to heal some of the division in our country. I’m just putting a positive message out there in the world…showing a little more grace, trying to kill some of the division. I am not without sin, and I can’t say I ever will be. But I’m making a conscious effort to spread this better message — and I’m also still Kid motherf–king Rock.
At the end of the day, I’m both of those guys. I’m not fundamentally changed, you know? I’m still Kid Rock; I’m gonna drink a beer, smoke a cigar… I’m just on the journey. I feel halfway to Jesus; I hope to be all the way there, but I’m not sure. I don’t know where it all leads. It’s almost as new as me as it is to everyone else.”
He later continued:
“Lord knows, I’ve been one of the most polarizing figures in the country… I’m trying to make a conscious effort to be less polarizing. It’s hard. I watched [his October 10th Trump rally speech] back, ’cause everyone really loved it. But I’m like, ‘Man, I’m still angry and stuff, really passionate.’ I still have my beliefs. I’m gonna stand up for them. But I’m trying to give people more grace on their beliefs. The time feels right. I think people have had enough of the polarization, being so divided. We can think differently, but we have to talk to one another. Nothing gets solved if we just shut off and are like, ‘Oh, f—k those people.’”
Despite their political differences, Eminem will be guesting on a new song titled “Heal My Faith.“ The rapper was originally set to appear on “7 Sins,“ but was replaced by Lil Wayne after switching tracks. Rock said the following about working with Eminem:
“We’ve been friends for, like, 40 years. I really didn’t want to drag him into my political world…. We talk about (politics) a little bit, not a ton. There’s a lot of stuff we agree on, and we can have a laugh about what (we don’t). That’s why I asked him to write a verse for me.”
He also commented on his new verse:
“He sends me back a verse wrapping up our whole history from like, day one — living at the Oakwood Apartments together, how I came to his Slim Shady release (show) when he was nobody and told him to keep going and how much that meant to him back then. He nails the line, ‘He’s my brother, not my political enemy,’ and it just sent these chills. I’m like, ‘Man, this is so important.’ I heard the (finished) mix, and grandpa was crying.”
Rock also reflected on his decision to protest Bud Light after the beer company collaborated with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney:
“I’ll talk to anybody. If Dylan Mulvaney wants to sit down and have a conversation, I’m like, ‘Come for lunch. Come for dinner. No problem.’ I’m always down to have a conversation about anything, with anyone — especially if it’s a constructive conversation. If someone wants to get in a pissing match, I’m really good at that, too. I can go pretty hard in the paint. My tongue is a dagger — which I have to be careful of, and not just musically and publicly.”
Rock also added the following about using AI for orchestra and choir pieces on his new album:
“I really do view it as another tool…like how I would love to use different samples. It lets me get what I hear in my head to my audience…without (AI) writing the song. I agree it can be a huge problem down the line. I think it’s to be determined. Until then… you can build a house with pound of nails and a rock, or you can get a nail gun. So it’s another tool.”
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