Kid Rock slammed over tribute to singer with racist | Music News

Kid Rock has once again discovered himself at the middle of controversy.

The 55-year-old, whose real identify is Robert James Ritchie, has been criticized after sharing a post to Facebook and X paying tribute to nation singer David Allan Coe following his death on Wednesday, April 29.

David died at the age of 86, with his trigger of death yet to be revealed. The singer discovered success in the 70s, but his profession was marred by controversy as he used slurs and racist stereotypes throughout his songs.

Posting on social media following David’s passing, Kid Rock wrote, “RIP David Allan Coe. Spent so much time with David over the years, touring, writing songs and just hanging out.

“I knew a aspect of Dave most people never acquired to see. He was such a deep thinker, sort and about as real as an outlaw can get! He didn’t give a d–n what anybody thought of him.”

The musician continued, “Always beloved this cowl of ‘Only God Knows Why’ he recorded on his tour bus. He also wrote ‘Single Father’ for me after spending a few days at my bus. He also wrote ‘Single Father’ for me after spending a few days at my Ortonville MI home YEARS in the past with me and my son.

“I still have piles of songs I need to dig up we wrote together. Rock on David. Love ya brotha.”

While Kid Rock targeted on praising David, critics had been fast to level out his racism. “He was a racist piece of s–t …doesn’t deserve anything . You’ve fallen so far from when I remember you as part of the Detroit hip hop scene. It’s sad,” one individual commented.

“LOL he used to talk s–t about you on the reg you pretend hillbilly,” another person said as a third individual wrote, “This checks out,” as they shared a screenshot of a monitor checklist from one of David’s data which included a racial slur in the title.

David’s death was announced by his spouse Kimberly Coe. She told Rolling Stone, “One of the best singers, songwriters, and performers of our time [and] never to be forgotten. My husband, my friend, my confidant and my life for many years. I’ll never forget him and I don’t want anyone else to ever forget him either.”

David discovered fame in the 70s with songs such as You Never Even Called Me by My Name and Longhaired Redneck. In the 80s, he had hits with The Ride and Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile.

His songs had been widely criticized due to David’s use of slurs and racial stereotypes. He also steadily used the Confederate flag, however, he denied being a racist.

In the 70s and 80s, David launched two underground albums which featured hate speach. The New York Times wrote in 2000, “In the early ’80’s the outlaw country singer David Allan Coe released very small quantities of two underground albums of songs that are among the most racist, misogynist, homophobic and obscene songs recorded by a popular songwriter.”

Speaking to Country Standard Time, David said he told The New York Times “they couldn’t call me a racist or White supremacist because that wasn’t true.”

He added, “I’ve got a Black drummer who’s married to a White chick. I’ve got [Black former heavyweight boxing champion] Leon Spinks pictures all over my bus, pictures he took with my family. My hair’s in dreadlocks. I’m the farthest thing from a White supremacist that anybody could ever be. I’m really [ticked] off, ya know.”