Robert James Ritchie (born January 17, 1971 in Romeo, Michigan), known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American musician and actor known for his over-the-top persona and his ability to mix rap with rock, blues and country music. He has sold over 25 million records to date.
For a decade before his breakthrough into stardom, he lived a secluded small-town life; releasing obscure albums for his local fan base. His debut album, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast, was released on Jive Records in 1990 and earned him attention, due to the raunchiness of the lead single, "Yo Da Lin In The Valley". However, Jive dropped him from the label. Next, he signed with Continuum Records based out of Brooklyn, NY and released The Polyfuze Method in 1993 and Fire It Up in 1994. After Continuum went bankrupt he went independent, starting Top Dog Records. At Top Dog Records, he sold bootleg dubs of his own records to pay his rent. He would work as a janitor at Detroit's famed White Room Studios to get recording time for his 1996 release Early Morning Stoned Pimp. He had to request a loan from his father to press the album. His father gave him the lifeline he needed. After E.M.S.P garnered him local attention, he sat up a showcase concert on March 30,1997 at Detroit's State Theatre. The only label to show up was Atlantic Records and luckily for Kid Rock they signed him.