Kid Rock's 'Belligerent' Behavior During Recent Interview Sparks Online Backlash

Kid Rock

On May 19, Rolling Stone published a cover story about Kid Rock, whose legal name is Robert James Ritchie. And his "belligerent" behavior—including drunken rants, waving a firearm and repeatedly using a racial slur—during the interview prompted online backlash.

Rolling Stone writer David Peisner recently sat down with the 53-year-old rock-country-rap singer. They chatted about how he grew up near Detroit and intertwined his public persona with far-right politics, among other topics.

During the interview, Kid Rock also instructed the writer to call his butler "Uncle Tom" and dropped the N-word many times.

"It’s worth mentioning these are not the only times Ritchie drops the n-word during my visit," Peisner wrote after quoting one slur-filled statement. "It’d be easy to label this as the rantings of a drunk racist, but as with everything that Ritchie does, it’s hard to know how calculated it all is. Is he just trying to get a reaction?"

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Although the Rolling Stone writer noted that Kid Rock could at times "turn on the charm" by sharing "self-deprecating stories or offer[ing] me earnest advice," he reportedly only wanted to drink and argue once they sat down in the lounge of his Nashville compound.

"He’s sitting in a dark leather chair, shouting at me about something or other, when he reaches behind the seat, pulls out a black handgun, and waves it around to make some sort of point," Peisner wrote. “'And I got a f---ing godd--- gun right here if I need it!' he shouts. 'I got them everywhere!'"

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On Instagram Kid Rock critics didn't hold back with their reactions to the interview, with one person declaring, "Kid Rock and his ilk have all gone full blown cultists."

Another Instagram user commented, "This feels like something out of family guy," while someone else wrote, "?? This is… hilariously sad."

Yet another person wrote, "This man is…not okay."

Meanwhile, one Instagram user pointed out, "Begging a reporter for a sleepover is wild lmao."

Read the full Rolling Stone article here.

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This isn't the first time Kid Rock has made headlines in recent weeks. In early May, Martha Stewart faced backlash after posing for photos with him at the Kentucky Derby and then posting them on Instagram.

Her followers promptly let their feelings known about her associating with the singer. "Kid Rock?!? Martha, no, just no." one exclaimed.

Another Instagram user wrote, "Kid Rock? No, Martha, way too good for him! ??" while someone else commented, "Kid Rock? A very, VERY, HARD NO!"

Next: Fans Call Martha Stewart's New Photos Featuring Donna Kelce 'Exquisite'