Did you know that Kid Rock has a child? Many people don’t — and Kid Rock’s son, Bobbie Ritchie, is an adult now. But why was he kept out of the public eye? is there a tragic past we’re unaware of?

Bobbie’s full name is Robert James Ritchie Jr.. Robbie James Ritchie is Kid Rock’s real name, so he was named after his dad. Bobbie was born in 1993, when Kid was only 22 years old. Bobbie’s mom is Kid Rock’s ex-girlfriend, Kelley South Russell.  

Who Is the Mother of Kid Rock’s Son?

Kid and Kelley were childhood sweethearts who met in the eighth grade. They dated on and off for almost 10 years before breaking up for good. Kelley must have shocked Kid when she told him that she was expecting a baby. By that point, their relationship wasn’t stable, so Bobbie’s early life was not ideal.

Kid revealed another side to his breakup with Kelley on the Howard Stern show. He alleged that Kelley had substance abuse issues and a violent temper. In 1995, when Bobbie was only two, Kelly reportedly attacked him and injured his leg with a sharp weapon.

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Years later, Kid set the record straight about when he really stepped up as a father. He revealed in an interview that Bobbie got dropped on his doorstep at six months old. This happened long before Kid became famous. He was trying to make it locally in Detroit and had no money.

His life then was all about late nights, rapping, and partying. When it came to being a real father, Kid confessed that he didn’t have a clue what to do. But there’s another side to this story — and it happened after Kid Rock first achieved success in his music career.

Kelley and Kid Rock Fought Over Custody

In 1998, Kid released his breakout record, “Devil Without a Cause.” He was touring heavily and recording new music. In December 1999, he took Bobbie’s mom to court. According to sources with inside knowledge, he wanted to secure adjustments in the amount of time that Kelley got to spend with Bobbie. He wanted her to get fewer visits with him.

But Kelley went to court to fight for full custody of their son. The court battle lasted 10 months, and the exes reached a deal to share custody of Bobbie. However, Kid had primary rights to his son. Shockingly, Kelley was ordered to pay child support.

Kelley was an autoworker in Detroit, while Kid had become a major music star making millions of dollars. But still, she was ordered to pay him $25 a week in child support. That way, she got additional visitation time with Bobbie. Regardless of how Kid really felt about that court decision, he’s been open about fatherhood.

Some of his fears about being a dad had to do with his own childhood. He said that he was a “child from hell” who never followed rules and had a bad attitude. He admitted that he always got into physical fights and that he had wild teenage years. He added that his partying ways only got worse after he got famous.

Kid knows that he did not set a good example for Bobbie — and he’s shared examples of crazy stuff he did while raising his son. When bobbie was a teenager, Kid shared that he brought women home to stay overnight, and that these women had more in common with his son than him.

Kid Rock Is Super Proud of His Son

Although he’s confessed that he’s been with a lot of women, and that he did not prioritize his education, he also shared that he learned one thing after becoming a young dad. Kid said in an interview that he didn’t want 10 kids around, so he learned to use protection with women.

Kid’s high-profile divorce from Pamela Anderson also had something to do with Bobbie. Kid claimed that he ended it with Pamela because she was allegedly affecting Bobbie in a negative way.

Kid is also outspoken about how proud of Bobbie he is. Bobbie grew up to be a solid man. He never partied hard like his dad. Kid even jokes that Bobbie might have a few drinks now and again at a party, then say, “I’m going home” while his dad is only getting started.

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Kid has another reason to be really proud of his son: Bobbie is really smart. Remember, Kid admitted that he’s not highly educated. Inside sources say that he attended Romeo High School in Washington, Michigan, but it’s hard to know for sure if he graduated.

Bobbie took a different path. He graduated from Belmont University in Nashville. Kid was so proud of Bobbie’s accomplishment that he shared it in a Rolling Stone interview. Bobbie has worked at an Apple store in the past and is also designing and selling a successful clothing line for men and women.

It’s no surprise that Bobbie shares a talent with his superstar father: He is also a musician. But you can’t say that the father and son have the same taste in music. Bobbie prefers soul, and his influences include Bruno Mars as well as an old-school singer named Jackie Wilson.

Bobbie Had a Child Young Too

Bobbie taught himself to play the ukulele and even released a single called “Exstacy” a few years ago. If bobbie sounds like the perfect kid for a rebel like Kid Rock to have, keep in mind that he did make one mistake when he was 21 — but it turned out to be a blessing.

Bobbie met Marisa Trovato when he was in high school. They were childhood sweethearts — just like Kid and Kelley. Marisa also got pregnant in her early 20s. This could have turned into a disaster, but Bobbie wanted to do things differently.

Even though he was scared of becoming a father so young, he didn’t turn to his dad for financial support. “I had my daughter at 21 years old not knowing what I was gonna do. But I put in the work and refused to ride coattails,” he said.

Unlike Kid and Kelley’s troubled relationship, Bobbie and Marisa’ grew stronger ‘s bond grew stronger after they had the baby, a girl named Skye. The two have been together for more than 13 years and had another child.

Kid Rock Became a Grandfather at 43

It’s shocking to know that Kid Rock became a grandad when he was just 43 years old. Kid revealed the real truth about how it felt. He said he was excited but also nervous for Bobbie. He also joked that he wants to be a great great great grandfather by the time he’s 80.

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But there’s one thing about this story that isn’t a joke, and that’s how Bobbie really feels about his dad. He posted a moving message on Instagram. He said that his dad had taught him compassion, kindness and gratitude. He also mentioned that Kid Rock taught him how to be confident yet humble at the same time.

He added that his dad taught him about faith and how it keeps the spark in life alive. Bobbie said he would do his best to share that with his own kids, and he ended his message by saying, “I love you dad.”