Residents of an east side Detroit neighborhood could soon be welcoming a new neighbor with a hearty "Bawitdaba!"
The rap-rock performer Kid Rock purchased a 6,000-square-foot colonial-style house in the neighborhood earlier this year, according to the Detroit Free Press, though it's not clear whether he will make it his full-time residence. Tom Barrow, an accountant and former mayoral candidate who lives next door to the house, told the Free Press he looks forward to having the musician as a neighbor.
“We're hoping his private life is calming and can have a positive influence on my young children," he said. "We're confident he'll be a good neighbor. I know he's very pro-Detroit."
Kid Rock is the stage name of Romeo, Mich., native Robert Ritchie. He got his start in the Detroit music scene and has been a prominent supporter of the city.
Last January, Ritchie received the Spirit of Detroit Award from City Council President Charles Pugh, an honor given to a person, event or organization for an outstanding achievement or service to the citizens of Detroit.
Through his foundation, the performer has given a number of sizable charitable contributions to Detroit causes, such as the homeless shelter COTS, Detroit’s Capuchin Soup Kitchen, the Detroit Recreation Department, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and YouthVille Detroit.
Kid Rock's website claims the city inspired his 2010 studio album "Born Free."
"The catalyst for this record was Detroit, and my thoughts on the world through the lens of Detroit. 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 that still had soul."
The title song, "Born Free," has become a staple at Republican presidential candidate and Detroit-native Mitt Romney's campaign events. Romney touted his Detroit roots and received an endorsement from Kid Rock prior to the Michigan presidential primary in February, but the former Massachusetts governor doesn't seem inclined to follow the singer's lead and actually buy property in the city.
MLive interviewed the house's former resident, who says it's "a beautiful house for parties."