Politically outspoken rap-rocker/country musician Kid Rock recently spent some time with Billboard to discuss his impending faith-based album, “Halfway 2 Jesus“. That effort is expected October 17th and recently had a notable change. While rapper Eminem was originally announced as a special guest on the track “7 Sins“, he has since vacated that song and will now appear on “Heal My Faith“. This decision was reached after the track listing for the record was announced earlier this month, leading Rock to have since enlisted Lil Wayne on “7 Sins“. Chuck D of Public Enemy was also approached for that slot, but was apparently unable.
Rock previously said his decades of friendship with Eminem have managed to outweigh their outspoken political differences (Rock is an avid supporter and close friend of U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Eminem has previously spoken out against the latter.) Leaked liner notes for that upcoming Christian-themed record found Rock stating of that friendship:
“I’m proud of the guests who joined me, especially my old friend Eminem. His verse speaks to something we’ve talked about and that really needs to be heard: we differ politically and on other things, but we’ve stayed friends through it all… We hope that sets an example for people who’ve lost friends or stopped talking to family because they think differently.”
Rock has since newly told Billboard of his relationship 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.”
Rock went on to explain that Eminem was originally approached to work on “Heal My Faith“, but opted for “7 Sins“. He since had a change of mind and went back to the original plan, leaving Rock scrambling to fill the spot vacated by Eminem on “7 Sins“. Lil Wayne went on to land that spot. Rock said of Eminem‘s last-minute change:
“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.”
As for his decision to embrace faith on this new record, Rock stated:
“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 added:
“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.'”
Rock also went on to reference his infamous Bud Light protest, launched in the wake of that brand working with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney back in 2023. Rock newly stated:
“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.”
Meanwhile, Rock also revealed that in addition to session musicians and his backing band, he employed AI music generator Suno on this forthcoming record, leaning on it for full choir arrangements and orchestrations in particular. Rock said of employing that divisive technology:
“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.”
Rock debuted the track “James 1:17” as the lead single from that record earlier this month.
