Kid Rock Talks Politics, Bares His 'Rebel Soul'

Posted Oct 4th 2012 12:00PM by Gayle Thompson
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Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

With all eyes fixed on the upcoming Presidential election, many celebrities are using their fame to stand up for the candidate they support. Country rocker and Detroit native Kid Rock says he is "proudly" supporting Republican candidate, Gov. Mitt Romney, and isn't concerned if some find his outspoken views offensive.

"I'm just so fed up with political correctness," the singer-songwriter tells MTV. "People are so angry at each other for their viewpoints. Yeah, I'm a little right wing, I'm gonna vote for Mitt Romney, but that's where my politics end, speaking to people who listen to my music, you know? But if you're not [going to vote for Romney], it's OK, we can still have a conversation and be friends and maybe enlighten each other on some views. I think thinking differently is what made this country great."

Although the 41-year-old has strong political opinions, he notes that his upcoming album, Rebel Soul, won't necessarily reflect those feelings. "After the last record [Born Free] that I did, which was pretty poignant and spoke about things that were going on in Detroit with the economic downturn, this was like, 'I just want to get back and make a fun Kid Rock record. Whatever it feels like that day in the studio, write those songs, whether they're hip-hop or rock and roll or country, just have fun with it.'"

Kid Rock's first single from the new project, "Let's Ride (Mideast Battle Hymn)," pays homage to a group he is honored to support -- the U.S. troops. The tune was written to inspire the men and women as they serve overseas.

"I wanted it to be an anthem, something for the guys to get pumped up to when they've got to go out and do these horrendous jobs," he explains. "From being there so many times, I've heard the stuff they listen to when they're out there, blaring stuff from their Humvees, when they're driving around on these missions ... and I said, 'Man, let's try to make them a theme song, to get them pumped up.' We wanted to keep it very truthful, but heavy and hard, and hopefully it's something that will help them get psyched up when they have to do their job."

Kid Rock's songwriting is also featured on "Take Hold of My Hand," a track from the recently-released Dwight Yoakam album, 3 Pears. Rebel Soul will be available Nov. 19.

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