Kid Rock sets Halfway 2 Jesus for 17 October after Eminem song switch

Kid Rock will release his faith-based album Halfway 2 Jesus on 17 October, after a late swap that moved Eminem to a different song days before release.

The album was announced with the single "James 1:17 (Jesus Is King)". Kid Rock's website lists the track as a new video and single available now on streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. The album runs to 17 tracks.

Eminem was first listed on "7 Sins". He now appears on "Heal My Faith". Lil Wayne replaces him on "7 Sins", Kid Rock told Billboard in an interview published 15 October.

The swap happened fast. Kid Rock said he first approached Eminem about a year ago with "Heal My Faith", a song then called "Lord Above" and later "Show Me Love". Eminem then heard "7 Sins" and said he would rather rap on that track. After the published tracklist revealed the change, Eminem suggested switching back to the first song they had worked on.

Kid Rock said the new verse for "Heal My Faith" arrived on 11 October. It includes the line "He's my brother, not my political enemy".

The two Detroit rappers have spoken openly about holding different political views. Kid Rock said the pair have been friends for about 40 years and can laugh about what they disagree on. He told Billboard they talk about politics "a little bit, not a ton", and that he did not want to drag Eminem into his political world.

To fill the gap on "7 Sins", Kid Rock said he contacted Lil Wayne and Chuck D. Chuck D could not do it. Wayne took the verse.

What makes this stand out is the timeline. A guest verse arriving six days before an album release leaves little room for mixing, mastering and manufacturing. For fans, this means the version of "Heal My Faith" on release will be very fresh.

Billboard has described the project as a Christian rock album built around the Eminem collaboration. Kid Rock told the Detroit News earlier in October that the two had stayed friends despite their differences.