classmate named Kelley South Russell, with whom he fathered a son and also raised her son from a previous relationship, but broke up with her after finding out that a third child he was raising was not his, after which he gained custody of his son, Robert James Ritchie Jr.; these events became the inspiration for this song, which discusses them directly, although Russell denies some of the allegations made against her in the lyrics. Release According to Kid Rock, who distributed the album himself, Early Morning Stoned Pimp sold 14,000 copies. The album was not offered for sale when Kid Rock's catalog became available on iTunes. Critical reception AllMusic, which did not review the album, gave it two and a half out of five stars. The Village Voice writer Chaz Kangas called the title track a "classic", writing, "The reason the track works so well is because Rock’s own love and incorporation of his musical references isn’t rooted in a nostalgia or a 'tribute,' but rather in his actively engaging the elements he finds compelling into a wholly new hodgepodge of his own invention." Track listing "Intro" – 0:50 "Early Mornin' Stoned Pimp" (featuring Tino) – 7:18 "Paid" – 5:15 "I Wanna Go Back" – 5:14 "Live" (featuring Esham) – 2:34 "Detroit Thang" (featuring The Howling Diablos) – 6:22 "Ya Keep On" – 3:55 "Shotgun Blast" – 2:18 "Freestyle Rhyme" – 3:57 "Classic Rock" – 2:42 "My Name Is Rock" – 4:30 "Where U at Rock" – 5:08 "Krack Rocks" (featuring Uncle Kracker) – 4:09 "The Prodigal Son Returns" – 3:16 "Black Chick, White Guy" – 7:10 "Outro" – 0:38 Personnel Kid Rock – vocals Uncle Kracker – turntables Andrew Nerha – guitar, drums Chris Peters – guitar Bobby East – guitar, bass Bob Ebeling – drums Marlon Young – bass guitar Jimmie Bones – piano Eddie Harsch – organ Thornetta Davis – background vocals References 1996 albums Funk albums by American artists Kid Rock albums Midwest hip hop albums Soul albums by American artists