"American Bad Ass" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Single by Kid Rock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
from the album The History of Rock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Released | April 18, 2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recorded | 1996–2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Genre | Nu metal, rap metal, thrash metal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Length | 4:32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Label | Atlantic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Writer(s) | Kid Rock, James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Producer(s) | Kid Rock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kid Rock singles chronology | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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"American Bad Ass" is a rap metal song by the American musician Kid Rock, released from his 2000 album The History of Rock. "American Bad Ass" uses the instrumental structure of Metallica's "Sad but True." The song was a victory lap for Devil Without a Cause's success.
He also gave nods to his musical heroes, in this order: AC/DC, ZZ Top, Bocephus, Beastie Boys, Kings of Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger, Limp Bizkit, Korn, The Rolling Stones, David Allan Coe, No Show Jones, Liberace, The Clash, Johnny Cash, and Grandmaster Flash.
His hometown Detroit is mentioned throughout with different nicknames including City of Truth, Detroit Rock City and Motown.
In the song, the word "Oklahoma", a reference to the Oklahoma City bombing with the deaths of 154 civilians, eight law enforcement officers, and six military personnel, is edited out, as the record label didn't want to cause offense.