Kid Rock has backtracked over his recent controversial comments encouraging people to "steal" his music, insisting he was only joking. The star - real name Robert Ritchie - posted a bizarre rant on YouTube.com last week after announcing he is boycotting paid download website iTunes until they give him more money to sell his music.

In the video footage, Kid Rock claims he is happy to let fans download tracks for free because he's "rich." He then urges kids to steal laptops, MP3 players, cars and gas from retailers - because big businesses can afford the loss.

He said: "The whole debate on downloading music has gone too far. There are record companies suing kids. You can illegally download my music, steal it if you will. Because I'm f---ing rich... what I would encourage you to do? Let's level the playing field. Steal everything. If you want a new MP3 player or a computer... Do you know how much money Apple and Microsoft have? Go in there, get a new laptop and run. You need a new car? Go steal a Toyota."

But the 37-year-old is adamant his rant was meant in jest. He says, "I was just trying to have some fun with it."

-Kid Rock News
-Kid Rock Pictures

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)