Kid Rock Releases “James 1:17 (Jesus Is King),” Announces Halfway 2 Jesus Album

Kid Rock has opened a dramatically different chapter with “James 1:17 (Jesus Is King),” the first official single from his forthcoming faith-centered album, Halfway 2 Jesus.

The song and its official music video arrive October 1 at 5pm CST through Kid Rock’s Top Dog Records. While an exact album-release date has not been announced, official merchandise for Halfway 2 Jesus is already available for preorder and expected to begin shipping later in October.

The title carries a personal connection for Kid Rock, whose full name is Robert James Ritchie and whose birthday is January 17. James 1:17 is the Bible verse declaring that every good and perfect gift comes from above.

Kid Rock previously explained that the album grew from his ongoing spiritual journey. After recording a revised version of Cody Johnson’s “‘Til You Can’t” with a new faith-centered verse, he continued writing songs that combined Christianity with the rock, country and hip-hop sounds that have defined his career.

“James 1:17” is the first new recording officially connected to the album. Kid Rock posted the song across his verified social accounts on September 30 before its October 1 streaming release.

A New Direction for Kid Rock

The upcoming record marks a clear thematic shift for an artist whose catalog has moved between rap rock, country, Southern rock and hip-hop for more than three decades.

Kid Rock has said the project is intended to celebrate faith through the styles of music he actually listens to—not function as a conventional worship record. His version of “‘Til You Can’t” previously reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart, setting the stage for this full faith-centered project.

No complete tracklist, album-release date or additional personnel have been officially confirmed. Halfway 2 Jesus will be Kid Rock’s first studio album since Bad Reputation arrived in 2022.