Kid Rock Hopes Christian Album with Eminem Can Help Heal America’s Divisions

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Kid Rock says he hopes a new collaboration with an artist whose politics differ from his own will remind Americans that friendship can transcend political differences.

Kid Rock teamed up with Eminem on his forthcoming album, "Halfway 2 Jesus," which is set for release Oct. 17 and is being billed as a Christian project that reflects Kid Rock’s faith. Although both artists grew up in Michigan and are longtime friends, they differ politically, with Kid Rock having spoken at Republican events and Eminem at Democratic campaign rallies.

“We said years ago —we said, ‘Man, let's not let politics divide us,’ and we never did,” Kid Rock told Fox News.

“And so when I asked him to be part of this … he totally got it. He knew how important it was for two little foul-mouthed rappers, white rappers from Detroit, maybe could set a good example for the rest of this country, that hey, it's okay … to differ politically and still be friends.

“I keep saying it, but thinking differently and having the freedom to do so is what makes this country great. So I'm so thankful he's on the record. He's been a tremendous friend for almost 40 years. I've always told people what a great father he is. He's just a class act all the way around.”

Little else is known about the album, whose cover artwork depicts a figure resembling Kid Rock climbing a hill, with the devil behind him and an illuminated cross at the summit. His new album also comes with a parental advisory sticker. 

“We're stronger together than we are divided,” Kid Rock said. “There's a lot of powers, a lot of forces around the world that are absolutely trying to divide us. I wish the media would try and have a little more grace. Just report the facts. We can make up our own minds. We're not stupid people. We can, you know, figure out things for our own.”

Meanwhile, Kid Rock said that although his embrace of faith may surprise some, it is nothing new. His middle name is James, and he has long drawn encouragement from James 1:17 because of the connection he sees between the verse’s reference and his birthday, Jan. 17 (1-17).

“[It] basically says all good things come from God, and I've been seeing ones and sevens my whole life [at] just the craziest times, the craziest places,” he told Fox News. “And after Charlie Kirk was assassinated, like a lot of people, I started to become closer to my faith. So I started writing these songs, and the next thing you know, they were just coming to me."

“And I can see the skepticism in it. People [are] like Kid Rock got saved? … I'm still Kid Rock. I’m still gonna drink a beer, smoke a cigar. I feel like I've always been right with God."

“I refer to one of the songs on my album that Tom T. Hall wrote, where I said, ‘Me and Jesus got our own thing going. We don't need anybody to tell us what it's all about.’

“This record is about second chances and forgiveness. It's about trying to heal some of the division in our country. I wanted to create the songs that I wanted to go to church and hear. And I want to have revivals, Saturday night revivals in arenas, stadiums, people drinking beer, having a good time, celebrating our Lord and Savior, you know, just full-on monster rock show, and I think that could do a lot of good in the world.”

Photo Credit: ©Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.