Kid Rock describes his latest album, “Born Free,” as “organic blues-based rock and roll.”
“Born Free” is Kid Rock’s first new album in more than three years. He left the comforts of his home studio in Detroit, Michigan to record the collection in Los Angeles with renowned producer Rick Rubin. But, that doesn’t mean Kid wasn’t in the Midwestern state in spirit.
“The catalyst for this record was Detroit, and my thoughts on the world through the lens of Detroit," he said. "Watching everything go downhill over the past few years, the economy, the loss of jobs everywhere, I wanted to make a record that reflected the times but still had soul.”
Only one member of Kid Rock’s band, Twisted Brown Trucker, appears on “Born Free.” Kid’s guitarist, Marlon Young, joins an all-star band created by Rick Rubin that features the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith, The Heartbreakers’ keyboardist Benmont Tench, and guitarists Matt Sweeney of the New York rock group Chavez and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos.
Kid collaborated on several tracks with artists from rock, pop, Country, and rap. They include Bob Seger, Sheryl Crow and Trace Adkins; an unusual pairing of Country star Martina McBride and rapper T.I.; and Zac Brown, who Kid refers to as one of his favorite newcomers.