Kid Rock expressed his admiration for Kendrick Lamar’s remarkable performance during the Super Bowl Halftime Show while appearing on Real Time With Bill Maher. He acknowledged that such a groundbreaking event might not have occurred without the NFL’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which aim to promote a more inclusive environment within the league.
?I?ll be honest, it wasn?t exactly my style of music, but I absolutely have to give it the respect it deserves,? he shared with Maher on the Valentine?s Day episode of Real Time. ?Here?s my perspective: I grew up immersed in the world of hip-hop, from break dancing and deejaying to graffiti and rapping. I have a deeper understanding of hip-hop culture than many might assume, particularly within the context of the white community.?
Kid Rock elaborated on his thoughts, stating, ?When you take in a performance like that, numerous thoughts race through your mind. While many people critique it and say, ?That was terrible,? I see something different. Kendrick came out boldly, unapologetically showing his true self, catering to his audience without concern for outside opinions. It?s a powerful statement, and I admire that tenacity.?
He reflected on his own career trajectory, saying, ?This kind of fearless expression is the foundation of my own career. I have to respect that,? Kid Rock noted. Recently, he performed in support of Donald Trump?s inauguration and expressed his admiration for the president, calling him ?one of the greatest men to ever walk the Earth.? He reiterated his affection for Trump during his candid conversation with Maher on Friday.
Kid Rock then speculated on the reasons behind Kendrick Lamar’s historic invitation to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show, an event that shattered records as the most-viewed Halftime Show ever, attracting a staggering 133.5 million viewers. ?I?m curious about how he landed that opportunity,? he mused. ?No one has truly answered that question. My guess? Jay-Z. But what?s the connection? I believe both Jay-Z and Kendrick should consider sending Colin Kaepernick a thank-you note, perhaps with a Bundt cake and a six-pack of beer. Without Kaepernick?s kneeling and the subsequent national conversation about the anthem, I doubt this performance happens.?
Maher attempted to steer the discussion in a different direction, but Kid Rock was not finished sharing his insights.
?And let me add one more thing,? Kid Rock continued passionately. ?This performance was the pinnacle of DEI initiatives coming to fruition. The NFL has been vocal about DEI, aiming to end racism and promote equity. With Jay-Z involved in the booking, Kendrick?s performance essentially transformed DEI into a powerful statement. It showcased predominantly Black performers reaching out to a primarily Black audience. It felt exclusive and authentic, and I found it hilarious and awesome.?
As the conversation shifted, Kid Rock was asked about his views on the Democratic Party. He reminded Maher of his past performance for Barack Obama, despite not voting. ?My band is incredibly diverse?half of them are liberal, gay, Black, and more. I pride myself on having one of the most eclectic bands around, not because of any DEI agenda, but simply because they are the best at what they do. We all share a strong bond and mutual respect,? he explained.
When the discussion turned to his upcoming tour dates, Kid Rock emphasized the urgent need for reform in the concert ticketing industry. He highlighted the revival of the TICKET Act, a proposed law designed to bring transparency and fairness to the ticketing process. The TICKET Act aims to introduce mandatory all-in pricing, enforce refunds for canceled events, and eliminate speculative ticket sales, a move that could greatly benefit consumers.
?The current state of purchasing concert tickets is nothing short of a disaster,? Kid Rock proclaimed, voicing his frustration. ?Fans are the ones getting taken advantage of in this broken system.?
He suggested that we should take cues from international markets, such as France, where regulations cap ticket reselling prices at around 10 to 15%. ?This could be a game changer for fans,? he suggested, advocating for fairer practices in the industry.
In an intriguing segment from the show?s ?Overtime? portion, which is available for viewing below, Kid Rock announced that he is currently working on a gospel album.
?Right now, I?m in the early stages of this project,? he shared with Maher. ?I?m collaborating with my longtime friend Rick Rubin on this gospel album.?
Rick Rubin, renowned for his production work, previously collaborated with Kid Rock on the 2010 album Born Free, which achieved remarkable success, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
