Kid Rock

By the age of 11 Kid Rock was already in a band, rapping for The Furious Funkers and DJing parties at High School. Later he joined The Beast Crew and by 17 he had signed a record deal, albeit without the members of his band.

His debut album was 1990's Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast which spawned the salacious single "Yo Da Lin in the Valley". Unfortunately Kid was dropped by his record label as the result of a scandal surrounding the exaggeration of fellow labelmate Vanilla Ice's street-cred which resulted in a backlash against other white rappers.

By 1992 he had a new contract with Continuum Records and released The Polyfuze Method in 1993 from which "Back From the Dead" was a Top 20 hit. However, shortly after the release of the EP Fire It Up in 1994, Continuum went bust and Rock was without a label again.

He started his own label, Top Dog, and released Early Morning Stoned Pimp in 1996, though he had to work a normal job at the same time to meet studio fees. Although his third album sold well locally in Michigan, Rock felt he needed the support of a major label to expand his appeal and finally he was signed to Atlantic Records.

In 1998 he released Devil Without a Cause. It was largely ignored until, on the basis of MTV interest, performances and the success of single "Bawitdaba" it began to sell. Further singles followed including "Cowboy" and "Wasting Time" and the album went on to sell 11 million copies. Two Grammy award nominations ensued.

By 2000 his earlier songs had been re-released in the album The History of Rock. One new track on that album was being used as the entrance song for the pro-wrestler The Undertaker. Rock was also guesting in other bands including Metallica and Phish. This was a feature of his later career and he would go on to guest for others including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Nickelback and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Cocky was released in 2002, though the sales were disappointing in comparison to the success of his previous outing. Sales eventually reached 5 million and saw the release of the successful country-tinged single "Picture".

Rock and Roll Jesus was released in 2007, though its release was initially less noted for the music and more for the press scuffle between himself and Tommy Lee, ongoing love rival for the affections of ex-wife Pamela Anderson. In August 2008 Rock and Roll Jesus was awarded double platinum status.