Facts about Robert James Ritchie Jr, singer Kid Rock’s son

Robert James Ritchie Jr., widely recognized as the son of the famous rap star Kid Rock (Robert James Ritchie), is a multifaceted individual carving his own path in music, business, and family life. This note provides an in-depth exploration of his life, drawing from various sources to ensure a comprehensive overview.

Key Points

• Robert James Ritchie Jr., born June 14, 1993, is the only son of singer Kid Rock and Kelley South Russell.
• He is 32 years old as of April 2025 and an American citizen.
• Research suggests he is an aspiring singer, entrepreneur, and family man, with a stable, grounded lifestyle.
• It seems likely that he has a close relationship with his father, who calls him “June Bug.”
• The evidence leans toward a challenging childhood due to his parents’ custody battle and his mother’s struggles.

Background

Robert James Ritchie Jr. is the son of the well-known singer, songwriter, and rapper Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie. Born on June 14, 1993, he is currently 32 years old as of April 2025. His mother, Kelley South Russell, is African-American, and he was raised primarily by his father after a custody battle in 2000.

Family and Personal Life

Robert is married to Marisa Trovato, whom he wed on October 2, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee. They have two children: a daughter, Skye, born in 2014, and a son, Rider, born on September 6, 2022. This makes Kid Rock a grandfather at age 43. Unlike his father’s rockstar lifestyle, Robert leads a quiet, family-oriented life, avoiding partying and drugs, and prefers early nights.

Career and Interests

Robert is an aspiring singer, performing under the name Robert James, with influences like Jackie Wilson and Bruno Mars. He released his debut single, “Exstacy,” in 2018, and has collaborated with his father on tracks like “Shakedown” in 2022. He also owns the clothing brand Skullfeather and works as a Senior Business Manager at Lost Highway Touring since August 2021. He is a football fan, supporting the Detroit Lions, and enjoys Marvel and gaming, sharing these interests on Instagram (@robertjames4real), where he has over 70,000 followers.

Personal Background

Born on June 14, 1993, Robert James Ritchie Jr. is currently 32 years old as of April 2025, making him a Gemini by zodiac sign. He is an American citizen of mixed race, with his mother, Kelley South Russell, being African-American, and his father Caucasian. His nationality and heritage reflect his Detroit roots, often highlighted by his father. Robert identifies as Christian and is straight in his sexuality, with black eyes and hair, standing at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) and weighing 185 pounds (84 kg), taller than his father, who is 6 feet (1.83 meters).

Family Dynamics and Upbringing

Robert is Kid Rock’s only biological child, born from his decade-long on-and-off relationship with Kelley South Russell, a classmate of Kid Rock. The relationship ended in late 1993 when Kid Rock discovered that only one of the three children he was raising with Russell was his, leading to a custody battle in 2000 when Robert was seven. Kid Rock won full custody, and Russell was ordered to pay $25 per week in child support. Reports suggest Russell struggled with substance abuse and was allegedly violent, including an incident in 1995 where she stabbed Kid Rock with a fork, contributing to a challenging childhood for Robert.

Raised primarily by his father as a single parent, Robert’s early years were marked by poverty before Kid Rock’s breakthrough with the album Devil Without a Cause in 1998. Kid Rock has shared in interviews, such as with The Guardian, that he had “no clue” how to raise Robert while trying to make it as a musician, dropped on his doorstep at six months old with no money. Despite these challenges, Robert became a well-rounded, even-keeled individual, contrasting sharply with his father’s “party animal” persona.

Robert’s family life today is stable and grounded. He married his high school sweetheart, Marisa Trovato, on October 2, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee. They have two children: daughter Skye, born in 2014, making Kid Rock a grandfather at age 43, and son Rider, born on September 6, 2022, announced on Instagram (Robert James Instagram). Robert often posts about his family on social media, emphasizing family as a main priority, and has praised Marisa as the best mother to Skye, noting her recent return to school.

Education and Career

Robert graduated from Belmont University in Nashville in 2015, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor’s degree in Business with a minor in Marketing. His father has expressed pride in his academic achievements, as seen in various interviews. Robert’s career spans music and entrepreneurship. As an aspiring singer, he performs under the name Robert James, inspired by soulful artists like Jackie Wilson and Bruno Mars. His musical journey includes the debut single “Exstacy” in 2018, other releases like “Bad” (2018) and “All Alone” (2017), and collaborations with Kid Rock, such as on “Shakedown” in 2022 and contributions to Bad Reputation. His latest release, “Fading Tides,” came out in 2025, and he completed his second album in December 2023, expected to be released in 2024.

Beyond music, Robert is an entrepreneur, founding Skullfeather, a clothing brand offering premium outfits (Skullfeather Website). Since August 2021, he has worked as a Senior Business Manager at Lost Highway Touring, showcasing his business acumen. He also worked as an Apple store employee to support his family, refusing to rely solely on his father’s fame, as noted in various profiles.

Lifestyle and Interests

Unlike Kid Rock’s high-profile, controversial lifestyle, Robert leads a grounded life, avoiding partying and drugs. He is described as preferring early nights, studying at home while his father was out drinking late, as per TheThings.com. Robert does not drink coffee, opting for tea with honey or hot chocolate, and is a fan of football, supporting the Detroit Lions, often watching games with his daughter Skye. He also enjoys Marvel and gaming, sharing these interests on Instagram (@robertjames4real), where he has over 70,000 followers and identifies as an artist and gamer in his bio.

Relationship with Kid Rock

Robert shares a close, loving relationship with his father, who calls him “Bobby Jr.” and “June Bug,” as revealed in a heartfelt birthday message in January 2025 (Taste of Country Article). In this message, Robert expressed excitement for upcoming events, including a potential Detroit Lions Super Bowl and Donald Trump’s return to office, suggesting he may share his father’s political views, though he is less vocal. Kid Rock has called Robert his “greatest inspiration” in The Independent, expressing pride in his music and life choices, despite feeling he could have set a better example due to his own lifestyle, including a constant stream of women, as shared with The Guardian.

Challenges and Privacy

Robert’s childhood was marked by exposure to his father’s drug and alcohol abuse and minimal contact with his mother, who reportedly had substance abuse issues. The custody battle at age 13 lasted 10 months, adding to the challenges. Despite this, Robert has carved out a stable, independent path, valuing privacy, with his net worth not disclosed. His father’s fame, including his $150 million net worth in 2025 (Celebrity Net Worth), has not defined him, as he asserts his own identity, appearing normal and positive in public perceptions.

Impact and Legacy

Robert’s life has intersected with his father’s controversies, notably being cited as a reason for Kid Rock’s divorce from Pamela Anderson in 2007, reportedly due to Anderson disrespecting his family in front of Robert (Us Weekly). He became a grandfather at a young age, maintaining “redneck street cred” in good standing, as per TheThings.com. His journey reflects resilience, balancing the shadow of his father’s fame with a grounded, family-focused existence.

Table: Key Milestones in Robert James Ritchie Jr.’s Life