The Kid Laroi's Rise from Australian Teenager to Global Music Phenomenon

The Rise of The Kid Laroi: From Australian Teenager to Global Superstar

Over the past few years, Australian rapper and singer The Kid Laroi has risen to become one of the biggest breakout stars in music. Born Charlton Howard in 2003, Laroi got his start releasing music online as a teenager before catching the attention of industry heavyweights like Lil Bibby and Juice WRLD. After signing to Grade A Productions and Columbia Records, Laroi dropped his debut mixtape F*ck Love in 2020. The project showcased his melodic vocal style and confessional songwriting, propelling hit singles like "Go" and "Let Her Go." However, it was his collaboration with fellow Aussie star Justin Bieber titled "Stay" that cemented Laroi as a global phenomenon. The track topped the charts around the world and has amassed over 2 billion streams. So how did this teenage artist from Sydney become one of the most streamed new artists of all time? Let's take a closer look at Laroi's meteoric rise to stardom.

Early Life and Career Beginnings in Australia

Born in Waterloo, a suburb of Sydney, Australia in 2003, Charlton Howard grew up in relative poverty raised by his single mother. He began writing and recording music as an outlet, adopting the stage name The Kid Laroi, which was inspired by his indigenous Australian heritage. As a young teenager, he started garnering attention online posting videos of his freestyling skills. This led to the release of his first mixtapes 14 With a Dream in 2017 and The Kid Laroy in 2018. He caught the ear of fellow rapper Lil Bibby who signed Laroi to his label Grade A Productions in 2019. Around this time, Laroi dropped out of high school and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career full-time.

Connecting with Juice WRLD and Grade A Productions

After relocating to LA, Laroi began collaborating with rappers like YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Lil Tecca. However, it was his connection to late artist Juice WRLD that truly elevated his career. The two recording several unreleased tracks together and bonded over their shared experiences rising to fame at a young age. Under Juice's mentorship, Laroi refined his melodic vocal approach which blended rapping and emotive singing. Tragically, Juice passed away from an accidental overdose in December 2019 just as Laroi was making waves with singles like "Go" and "Addison Rae." The loss was devastating, but Laroi persevered, honoring his friend and quickly becoming the next big thing at Grade A Productions.

The Breakout Success of "Stay" with Justin Bieber

In July 2021, Laroi teamed up with longtime idol Justin Bieber for the heartfelt pop-rap ballad "Stay." The duo had connected after Laroi and Bieber's wife Hailey became close friends. "Stay" showcased Laroi's mass appeal, with his vulnerably vocals perfectly matched by Bieber's R&B melody. The track debuted at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 before climbing to #1 and dominating radio airplay all summer. It ultimately broke the record for the longest consecutive run in the Hot 100's top 10 at over 30 weeks. "Stay" elevated Laroi to household name status, amassing over 2 billion streams and counting. Its success highlighted his ability to blend genres and reach diverse audiences. With Bieber's co-sign, Laroi had officially transitioned from rising artist to global superstar.

Laroi's Debut Album "F*ck Love" and Continued Success

Riding high off the momentum of "Stay," Laroi released his debut album F*ck Love in August 2021, just weeks after his 18th birthday. It captured his evolution from Australian teen with a dream to one of the biggest artists in the world. The album explored the pleasures and pains of young love over moody beats, boasting further hits like "Not Sober" featuring Polo G and the Lil Mosey-assisted "Go!" It debuted atop the Australian ARIA Charts and reached #7 on the Billboard 200. Laroi kept the album's momentum going, performing at major festivals like Rolling Loud and collaborating with pop punk hero Machine Gun Kelly on "Tickets to My Downfall (SOLD OUT)." He topped off his massive breakout year joining Bieber for portions of his Justice World Tour. Continuing to ride the wave of success, Laroi promises he's just getting started taking over the music industry.

Laroi Connects with Both Rap and Pop Audiences

What sets Laroi apart is his ability to thrive across genres and audiences. With one foot firmly planted in melodic rap like his early mentors Juice WRLD and Lil Tecca, Laroi's heartfelt vocals and pop sensibilities allow him to cross over to mainstream pop dominance. He's able to tap into the swag and youthful energy of modern hip-hop while showcasing enough versatility and star power to collaborate with artists like Bieber, Miley Cyrus, and Paris Jackson. Laroi has described his sound as "happiness meets darkness," exploring the push and pull between struggle and success. His unique blend of styles and suburban Australian upbringing help Laroi connect with diverse crowds, from Soundcloud rap fans to Top 40 listeners and beyond.

Blending Hip-Hop Swagger and Pop Appeal

Songs like "Go!" and "Not Sober" showcase Laroi's rap chops with fast-paced rhythmic vocals, while "Without You" and "Stay" highlight his pop side with soaring hooks optimal for radio airplay. Yet he blends these two worlds seamlessly both in the studio and on stage. His look bridges gaps too - he'll rock designer fashion in music videos and then show up to awards shows in jeans and T-shirts. The Kid Laroi has established his own sound and image that feels familiar yet fresh. While owing inspiration to those who came before him, like mentor Juice WRLD, Laroi has pioneered his own melodic rap/pop lane leveraging the best of both genres.

Winning Over Diverse Crowds

By finding connections between rap authenticity and pop vulnerability, Laroi appeals to demographics artists rarely reach simultaneously. His music is streamed heavily by hip-hop heads and pop fanatics, city kids and suburban teens, those relating to his underdog narrative as well as those just looking for a catchy chorus to sing along to. Laroi's ability to write raw confessionals about relationships and struggle, pairing them with slick modern production and charismatic delivery, gives his music a broad relatability. He can hold his own on tracks with Lil Tecca then turn around and sing a heartfelt love song with Miley Cyrus. The Kid Laroi's unique versatility and crossover appeal has been crucial to his rapid rise.

Laroi's Star Continues to Rise Moving into 2023 and Beyond

It's rare for a new artist to achieve the level of success Laroi has experienced still in his teens, but all signs point to the young Australian phenom only continuing to elevate his stardom. In 2022, he was selected as MTV's Push Artist of the Year in the Asia-Pacific region and won Breakthrough Artist at the BandLab NME Awards. He also dropped standout collaborations like "Thousand Miles" with Taylor Swift and "Love Again" with British star Zara Larsson. Looking ahead, Laroi is set to tour Australia in 2023 with sold-out shows in all major cities. He's also rumored to be working on more new music with high profile collabs in the works. It's only up from here for The Kid Laroi.

World Touring and New Music on the Horizon

Given the global success of "Stay" and F*ck Love, Laroi seems primed to embark on a massive world tour in the near future once he finishes hitting major markets in Australia and the UK. This would allow him to bring his music to international audiences on an even grander scale. He's also been teasing a follow up album, with new songs previewed on social media pointing to a punk/rock-influenced direction. Knowing Laroi's ear for crossover appeal, he is sure to incorporate more unexpected sounds and styles to build hype for his next era. Stay tuned for upcoming single drops and announcements.

Potential for Further Crossover Collaborations

One of Laroi's biggest assets starting out was collaborating with rappers like Lil Tecca and Juice WRLD, then excelling on pop features like "Stay" with Bieber. He has since proved adaptable singing alongside acts like Korean group BTS, electronic star Marshmello, and pop singer Demi Lovato. With Laroi's star rising fast at such a young age, there is major potential for even more high-profile collaborations across genres to come. His recent studio sessions point to exciting team ups possibly on the way with artists like Travis Scott, Halsey, and Lil Nas X. The right features could further propel Laroi into the stratosphere.

Blazing a Trail for Young Australian Artists

On a global level, The Kid Laroi also represents a major breakthrough for young Australian artists seeking worldwide success. Along with his close friend Keith Urban, he is among the first Aussie acts to truly crossover from their homeland and dominate American pop culture since Iggy Azalea's breakout. Laroi's rise, from dreaming of stardom in Sydney to collaborating with the likes of Bieber, helps blaze a trail for youthful talent from Australia and beyond hoping to make it. With instantly catchy hits that transcendregional boundaries, Laroi shows just how much upside he has ahead still so early in his career.

FAQs

How old is The Kid Laroi?

The Kid Laroi was born in 2003 and is currently 20 years old as of 2023. He started releasing music as a teenager in 2017.

Where is The Kid Laroi from?

Laroi was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. His stage name is a reference to his indigenous Australian background.

How did The Kid Laroi get famous?

Laroi gained popularity as a teenager by releasing music online and getting co-signed by rappers Lil Bibby and Juice WRLD. His collaboration "Stay" with Justin Bieber in 2021 catapulted him to global fame.

What rappers has Laroi worked with?

He's collaborated with Juice WRLD, Lil Tecca, Polo G, Justin Bieber, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Mosey, and BTS among others.

What are The Kid Laroi's biggest songs?

His top hits include "Stay" with Justin Bieber, "Without You", "Go!" with Juice WRLD, and "Not Sober" featuring Polo G.