Kid Rock's new foray into Christian-themed music landed overnight with the release of the single "James 1:17 (Jesus Is King)" as he prepares to release his next album, "Halfway 2 Jesus."
It comes several weeks after the metro Detroit-born rap-rocker revealed he's made an album he felt "called to record" amid a growing spiritual journey.
That new album's title — "Halfway 2 Jesus" — was revealed at midnight in a text description at YouTube, where the music video for "James 1:17" will premiere at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1. The video will include a performance by Pakistani children affiliated with Miraculous Love Kids, an organization that offers musical outreach to vulnerable youth in poverty zones.
"James 1:17 is a Bible verse from the New Testament
book of James that teaches every good thing comes from God," the YouTube blurb reads.
A representative for Kid Rock told the Detroit Free Press the album release date will be announced in the coming days.
The new song comes with the standard Kid Rock musical trimmings, rock guitars and all, but a different lyrical take. In a Wednesday social media post, Rock, 55, described "James 1:17" as a late-night inspiration.
“I got out of bed at 2 a.m. one morning, and about 30 minutes later, I had this song," he said.
Rock, who left Detroit for Nashville in the 2010s, hit No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Christian Songs chart earlier this year with a cover of Cody Johnson’s “’Til You Can’t,” which he customized with additional lyrics about Jesus and faith. He'd premiered his version of the song during his performance at Turning Point USA's alternative Super Bowl halftime show in February.
Kid Rock's recent music is a distinct new chapter for an artist who made his name with onstage stripper poles and rebel themes before merging his rap-rock sound with country vibes. It was 19 years ago this month that the musician proclaimed himself "Rock n Roll Jesus" with an album of that name and a title track that declared a "rock revival" where "you don't need a Bible." "It's all sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll," he sang in the hit song.
Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kid Rock releases Christian song 'James 1:17 (Jesus Is King)'
