Kid Rock is going Christian rock, and he’s bringing Eminem with him. The Detroit star announced‘Halfway to Jesus,’a 17-track album dropping October 17, and it’s a full genre pivot from the rebel anthems he built his career on. Lead single‘James 1:17 (Jesus Is King)’is out now, a gospel-tinged rock track where Rock asks forgiveness for his past blasphemy. The album also features Rascal Flatts’Gary LeVox and country singer Jimmie Allen on the title track, and closes with a cover of Lee Greenwood’s‘God Bless the USA.’
The Eminem feature might be the biggest surprise here. The two collaborate on a track called‘7 Sins,’and according to a foreword, the whole point is showing that two old friends can disagree politically and still stay close. Rock says the album grew out of a spiritual calling tied to the Bible passage James 1:17, which happens to match both his middle name and his birthday. He wrote rock, country, and hip-hop songs to celebrate his faith, so expect a mix of sounds across all 17 tracks.
So is this a genuine spiritual moment, a savvy reinvention, or a little of both? Either way, it’s the most talked-about album announcement of the week. Are you checking out‘Halfway to Jesus’when it drops?
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Local Lawton
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