Amid accusations of campaign finance violations and protests calling for his Michigan concerts to be cancelled, Kid Rock didn’t shy away from the political arena during his show in Grand Rapids Wednesday night.
The genre-bending musician from Detroit had performed no more than three songs when he took the stage to deliver a politically-charged message focusing on a variety of topics including “dead-beat dads, wannabee gangsters” and welfare.
The speech came with “Hail to the Chief” playing to the capacity crowd as Robert Ritchie was introduced to the stage as the “Next senator of Michigan.”
During a nearly 3-minute address, Ritchie shared many of his political views through a rhyming address which also condemned Nazis, bigots, the KKK and anyone who “disrespects” the national anthem.
“If you want to take a knee or sit during our ‘Star-Spangled Banner:’ Call me a racist cuz I’m not PC and think you have to remind me that Black Lives Matter. Nazis, fu**** bigots and now again the KKK, screw all you “a**sholes, stay the f*** away,” he said.
The entire address, which also mentioned Donald Trump, drew massive applause from the crowd at Van Andel Arena, especially when it transitioned into his 2002 hit “You Never Met a Motherf***** Quite Like Me.”
While there was plenty else going on throughout, political commentary was a theme throughout the evening. In addition to the opening address, Rock ended the show (encore not included) with his 2010 megahit “Born Free.”
During the track, a tribute to freedom and everything American, a massive American flag was unfurled behind the musician. A montage praising the men and women of the American armed forces was also played and yes, Colin Kaepernick came up.
“F*** Colin Kaepernick,” Rock said of the former 49ers quarterback, who caused a stir by kneeling during the national anthem last season. “And f*** any mother**** who decides to disrespect the national anthem.”
On Sept. 1, Kid Rock was accused by the Washington, D.C.-based organization Common Cause of violating campaign finance rules during his flirtation with a run for U.S. Senate.
The complaint argued that despite the musician’s statements to the contrary, Ritchie should be considered an official candidate based on the merchandise sold and the continued existence of the Kid Rock for Senate website, among other things.
In a separate controversy, the Michigan chapter of Al Sharpton’s National Action Network is protesting Kid Rock’s upcoming opening concerts at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Rock didn’t specifically address either issue on Wednesday night.
