The Kid LAROI has established himself as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary music, blending elements of hip-hop, pop, and alternative rock into a signature sound that resonates with millions worldwide. Born Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard in Sydney, Australia, the 22-year-old artist has achieved remarkable success at a young age, including topping the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the youngest Australian solo artist to reach number one on the ARIA Albums Chart. His emotionally charged lyrics, distinctive vocal delivery, and ability to craft infectious melodies have earned him collaborations with industry giants and a dedicated global fanbase. From his breakthrough mixtape F*ck Love to his most recent album Before I Forget released in January 2026, The Kid LAROI continues to evolve as an artist while maintaining the raw authenticity that first captured listeners’ attention. This comprehensive ranking explores his greatest tracks, examining the songs that have defined his career and cemented his place in music history.
STAY (with Justin Bieber)
STAY represents The Kid LAROI’s crowning commercial achievement and arguably his most recognizable song to date. The collaboration with Justin Bieber reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in its fourth week, marking The Kid LAROI’s first chart-topper and making him the first Australian-born solo male to top the Hot 100 since Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” just over 40 years ago. The track showcases a perfect balance between The Kid LAROI’s hoarse urgency and Bieber’s airy delivery, creating an irresistible pop-rap hybrid that dominated airwaves throughout 2021 and beyond. STAY spent an unprecedented 22 weeks in the top three of the Hot 100, surpassing tracks by The Weeknd, The Chainsmokers, and Mark Ronson, demonstrating its extraordinary staying power and widespread appeal across demographics.
WITHOUT YOU
WITHOUT YOU marked a pivotal moment in The Kid LAROI’s career, establishing him as a force in mainstream music before STAY elevated him to superstar status. The acoustic emo rap and folk-pop ballad features hoarse, almost grunted vocals pushed to the upper limits of their range, with spite-filled lyrics detailing the aftermath of a breakup and how the pain of separation cuts deeper than expected. The song’s emotional vulnerability struck a chord with listeners worldwide, leading to viral success on TikTok and subsequent chart domination. After releasing a remix with Miley Cyrus, WITHOUT YOU jumped to number one in Australia in its 22nd week, becoming The Kid LAROI’s first number-one single, and it peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, establishing the young artist as capable of creating both streaming hits and radio staples.
NIGHTS LIKE THIS
NIGHTS LIKE THIS stands as one of the standout tracks from The Kid LAROI’s 2023 debut studio album The First Time, showcasing his matured songwriting abilities and refined production sensibilities. The track captures the nostalgic melancholy that has become a signature element of his sound, blending introspective lyrics with atmospheric production that creates an immersive listening experience. The song resonated so strongly with fans that The Kid LAROI later released “NIGHTS LIKE THIS PART 2” as part of The First Time deluxe edition, expanding on the themes and emotions explored in the original. This track demonstrates his ability to craft compelling narratives about relationships and personal experiences that feel both specific and universally relatable.
LOVE AGAIN
LOVE AGAIN represents The Kid LAROI’s exploration of optimism and renewal after heartbreak, offering a more hopeful counterpoint to his typically melancholic catalog. Released as a single following the massive success of STAY, the track showcases his versatility as an artist capable of conveying a spectrum of emotions beyond pain and loss. The song made its notable debut during his Fortnite virtual concert event called “The Kid LAROI’s Wild Dreams” in early 2023, where players could experience the track in an interactive island setting. LOVE AGAIN achieved commercial success in Australia, Canada, and the United States, proving that his fanbase embraced his evolution toward more positive thematic content while maintaining the authentic vocal delivery and production quality they had come to expect.
GO (with Juice WRLD)
GO holds special significance in The Kid LAROI’s discography as a collaboration with his late mentor Juice WRLD, released posthumously following the rapper’s tragic death. Released in June 2020, the collaboration entered the top 40 in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, introducing many listeners to The Kid LAROI for the first time through his association with the beloved artist. The track showcases the genuine chemistry between the two artists, with their complementary styles creating a seamless listening experience that honors their real-life friendship and creative partnership. The song’s success helped establish The Kid LAROI’s credibility within the hip-hop community and demonstrated his ability to hold his own alongside established artists, setting the stage for the major breakthrough that would follow with his F*ck Love mixtape.
TOO MUCH (with Jung Kook and Central Cee)
TOO MUCH represents one of The Kid LAROI’s most ambitious collaborations, bringing together three distinct voices from different corners of the global music landscape. Released in October 2023, the single features South Korean singer Jungkook and British rapper Central Cee, showcasing The Kid LAROI’s international appeal and willingness to experiment with diverse sonic palettes. The track successfully blends K-pop sensibilities, UK rap influences, and The Kid LAROI’s signature emo-rap style into a cohesive whole that transcends geographical boundaries. This collaboration demonstrated his status as a truly global artist capable of bridging different music scenes and fanbases, while the high-profile nature of the partnership with Jungkook of BTS further elevated his profile in markets where he was still building recognition.
THOUSAND MILES
THOUSAND MILES marked The Kid LAROI’s first major solo release following the unprecedented success of STAY, carrying the weight of massive expectations from fans and industry observers alike. Released on 22 April 2022, the single premiered alongside a music video that reached 1 million views in about a day, demonstrating that his fanbase remained highly engaged even after an extended period away from releasing new music. The track showcases his growth as a songwriter and vocalist, with more polished production and refined melodic sensibilities that reflected his increased confidence and experience in the studio. THOUSAND MILES proved that The Kid LAROI could maintain commercial momentum as a solo artist without relying on high-profile collaborations, achieving success in his core markets while introducing his evolving sound to new listeners.
A COLD PLAY
A COLD PLAY serves as the official lead single from The Kid LAROI’s second studio album Before I Forget, marking a new chapter in his artistic journey. Released on 5 September 2025, the song emerged after it leaked the previous month, and it was created as part of an album largely driven by his July 2025 breakup with girlfriend Tate McRae. The track showcases a more mature approach to processing heartbreak, with production that feels both contemporary and timeless, incorporating elements that nod to his musical influences while pushing his sound forward. A COLD PLAY demonstrated that The Kid LAROI had moved beyond simply chronicling pain to crafting sophisticated musical narratives that explore the complexity of modern relationships, setting the tone for what would become his most cohesive and introspective album to date.
GIRLS
GIRLS emerged as one of the standout singles from The Kid LAROI’s 2024 campaign, receiving significant acclaim and winning “Song Of The Year” at the ARIA Awards. Released in June 2024, The Kid LAROI debuted the track live on his tour ahead of its official release, building anticipation among fans who had been waiting for new material. The song captures a playful energy that contrasts with much of his catalog, showcasing his ability to create upbeat, radio-friendly tracks without sacrificing the emotional authenticity that defines his work. GIRLS resonated particularly strongly in his home country of Australia, where it became a cultural moment and demonstrated his continued relevance in the domestic market even as he pursued international success, ultimately earning recognition as one of the year’s defining tracks in Australian music.
DIVA (featuring Lil Tecca)
DIVA represents one of The Kid LAROI’s earliest mainstream successes, establishing the template for his melodic approach to hip-hop. Released in early 2020, DIVA earned platinum certification in the United States and features Lil Tecca, helping to build The Kid LAROI’s profile within the rap community. The track showcases his ability to craft catchy hooks and memorable melodies over trap-influenced production, demonstrating the versatility that would become his calling card. DIVA’s success helped lay the groundwork for the breakthrough that would come with F*ck Love later that year, proving to labels and listeners alike that The Kid LAROI possessed the combination of street credibility and pop sensibility necessary to cross over into mainstream success while maintaining authenticity with his core hip-hop audience.
BLEED
BLEED appears on The Kid LAROI’s 2023 debut album The First Time, showcasing the darker, more introspective side of his artistry. The track delves into themes of emotional vulnerability and the psychological toll of toxic relationships, with production that creates a haunting atmosphere matching the weight of the lyrics. BLEED demonstrates his willingness to explore uncomfortable emotional territory, refusing to sugarcoat the messiness of human connection and the scars that difficult relationships leave behind. This track exemplifies the raw honesty that has endeared The Kid LAROI to fans who see their own struggles reflected in his music, establishing him as more than just a hitmaker but as an artist willing to use his platform to process and share genuine pain.
F*CK YOU, GOODBYE
FCK YOU, GOODBYE stands as one of the most emotionally direct tracks in The Kid LAROI’s catalog, pulling no punches in its depiction of relationship dissolution. Featured on his Fck Love project, the song captures the anger and frustration that often accompany the end of significant romantic connections, with The Kid LAROI delivering vocals that feel genuinely cathartic rather than performative. The track’s unfiltered approach to expressing difficult emotions resonated with listeners who appreciated his refusal to romanticize heartbreak or pretend that breakups are dignified affairs. F*CK YOU, GOODBYE showcases the emotional range that separates The Kid LAROI from many of his contemporaries, proving that authenticity and commercial appeal need not be mutually exclusive in modern pop music.
SELFISH
SELFISH offers listeners a glimpse into The Kid LAROI’s capacity for self-reflection and acknowledgment of his own flaws within relationships. The track explores the complicated dynamics of love and possession, examining how insecurity and fear can manifest as controlling behavior that ultimately destroys the connections we value most. SELFISH demonstrates his growth as a songwriter willing to examine his own role in relationship failures rather than simply casting himself as a victim of circumstance. This level of introspection adds depth to his catalog, showing that he can craft compelling music about the messiness of being human, complete with contradictions and imperfections that make his narratives feel authentic rather than manufactured for commercial consumption.
WHAT’S THE MOVE?
WHAT’S THE MOVE? showcases The Kid LAROI’s ability to create energetic, socially focused tracks that provide contrast to his more introspective material. Featured on The First Time, the song captures the restless energy of youth and the constant search for excitement and connection that defines the experience of coming of age in the social media era. The track’s production leans into more uptempo territory, with infectious rhythms that make it ideal for live performances and party playlists while maintaining the melodic sophistication that characterizes his best work. WHAT’S THE MOVE? proves that The Kid LAROI can craft music for different contexts and moods without losing the distinctive vocal character and emotional intelligence that define his artistic identity.
NOT SOBER
NOT SOBER explores the complicated relationship between substance use and emotional processing, a theme that appears throughout The Kid LAROI’s catalog but receives particularly nuanced treatment in this track. The song examines how people use various forms of escape to avoid confronting difficult emotions or situations, with The Kid LAROI delivering lyrics that feel personal and specific rather than relying on generic substance-abuse clichés. NOT SOBER demonstrates his awareness of the broader cultural conversations around mental health and coping mechanisms, contributing to these discussions through authentic storytelling rather than preaching or judgment. This track resonates particularly strongly with younger listeners navigating similar challenges, establishing The Kid LAROI as an artist who takes seriously his responsibility to represent their experiences with honesty and empathy.
ALWAYS DO
ALWAYS DO captures the push-and-pull dynamic of relationships where patterns repeat despite best intentions and promises to change. Featured on his F*ck Love project, the song examines the cyclical nature of certain romantic connections, where the same arguments and reconciliations play out repeatedly with minor variations but fundamentally unchanged dynamics. The Kid LAROI’s vocal delivery conveys both frustration and resignation, capturing the exhausting reality of being trapped in patterns that feel impossible to break even when you recognize their destructiveness. ALWAYS DO resonates with listeners who have experienced the disorienting feeling of knowing a relationship is unhealthy while feeling unable or unwilling to leave, showcasing his ability to articulate complex emotional experiences that many people struggle to express.
TRAGIC
TRAGIC delves into the aftermath of relationship endings and the ways in which we romanticize and dramatize our own pain. The track examines how heartbreak can feel simultaneously overwhelming and performative, with The Kid LAROI exploring the fine line between genuine emotional processing and the tendency to cast ourselves as tragic heroes in our own narratives. The production supports this thematic exploration with dramatic flourishes that underscore the song’s self-aware examination of emotional excess. TRAGIC demonstrates The Kid LAROI’s sophistication as a songwriter capable of examining his own artistic tendencies and emotional responses with a critical eye, adding a layer of meta-commentary to his work that elevates it beyond simple confessional songwriting into more complex territory.
A PERFECT WORLD
A PERFECT WORLD serves as a crucial single in the rollout for Before I Forget, offering listeners insight into the album’s emotional landscape. The track was released on 20 November 2025, the same day The Kid LAROI officially announced the Before I Forget album, positioning it as a key entry point for fans anticipating his new material. The song explores idealized visions of relationships and the gap between fantasy and reality that often leads to disappointment and disillusionment in romantic connections. A PERFECT WORLD showcases production that feels simultaneously lush and melancholic, creating sonic space for The Kid LAROI to explore these themes with the emotional maturity that has come to define his recent work, proving that his artistic evolution continues with each new release.
APEROL SPRITZ
APEROL SPRITZ emerged during the mysterious “Watch This!” era that ultimately gave way to the Before I Forget album, representing a lighter moment in The Kid LAROI’s catalog. Released on 11 October 2024, the single accompanied the launch of a website called thewholeworldswatching.life that built hype around what fans initially believed would be an album called Watch This. The track’s title references the popular Italian cocktail, suggesting themes of lifestyle and enjoyment that contrast with much of his more melancholic material. APEROL SPRITZ demonstrates his versatility and willingness to experiment with different moods and approaches, showing that he can create music for various emotional states without compromising the distinctive voice and perspective that make his work immediately recognizable across stylistic variations.
BLESSINGS
BLESSINGS offers a moment of gratitude and perspective within The Kid LAROI’s often emotionally turbulent catalog, acknowledging the positive aspects of his journey despite the challenges. Featured on his 2018 independently released EP 14 with a Dream, the track showcases his early artistic vision before major label involvement. The song examines themes of perseverance and appreciation for the support systems and opportunities that have enabled his success, providing balance to the pain and struggle documented in much of his other work. BLESSINGS demonstrates that even in his earliest material, The Kid LAROI possessed the emotional intelligence and lyrical sophistication that would later captivate mainstream audiences, offering fans insight into his artistic development and the consistency of vision that has guided his career from independent releases through global stardom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Kid LAROI’s biggest hit song?
STAY, The Kid LAROI’s collaboration with Justin Bieber, is his biggest hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in its fourth week and making him the first Australian-born solo male to top the chart since Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” over 40 years earlier. The song achieved unprecedented longevity on the charts and became a global phenomenon, dominating streaming platforms, radio airplay, and sales charts across multiple countries. STAY represents not only his commercial peak but also a perfect synthesis of his melodic sensibilities with mainstream pop appeal, introducing his artistry to the widest possible audience and cementing his status as a major force in contemporary music.
How many albums has The Kid LAROI released?
The Kid LAROI’s discography consists of two studio albums, one mixtape, two extended plays, 40 singles including four as a featured artist, one promotional single, and 41 music videos. His debut studio album The First Time arrived in November 2023, followed by his second album Before I Forget in January 2026. Before these full-length albums, he achieved massive success with his F*ck Love mixtape and its subsequent reissues, which topped charts globally and established him as a major artist. His relatively compact but impactful discography demonstrates his ability to make every release count, with a high percentage of his catalog achieving commercial success and critical recognition.
What makes The Kid LAROI’s music style unique?
The Kid LAROI’s music stands out for its seamless blending of hip-hop, pop, emo rap, and alternative rock elements, creating a sound that defies easy categorization. His distinctive hoarse vocal delivery, pushed to its limits for emotional effect, combined with his raw lyrical honesty about relationships, heartbreak, and personal struggles creates an authentic connection with listeners. Unlike many contemporary artists who polish their pain for commercial consumption, The Kid LAROI maintains a sense of genuine vulnerability that resonates particularly strongly with younger audiences navigating similar emotional experiences. His willingness to explore various production styles while maintaining consistent thematic concerns and vocal character allows him to experiment without alienating his core fanbase.
Who were The Kid LAROI’s major musical influences?
The Kid LAROI has cited the late Juice WRLD as his most significant mentor and influence, with their friendship and creative partnership profoundly shaping his approach to music-making. His sound also reflects influences from emo rap, pop-punk, and mainstream hip-hop, creating a synthesis that feels both contemporary and nostalgic. The emotional vulnerability and melodic approach to rap that characterized Juice WRLD’s work clearly influenced The Kid LAROI’s artistic development, while his Australian background and exposure to diverse musical traditions add unique elements to his sonic palette. His willingness to collaborate across genres with artists like Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, and Jungkook demonstrates an openness to various musical traditions rather than adherence to a single stylistic lane.
What is The Kid LAROI’s latest album about?
Before I Forget, released on 9 January 2026, is largely driven by The Kid LAROI’s July 2025 breakup with girlfriend Tate McRae, recorded in the three months following their split. The album represents his most introspective and emotionally mature work to date, with The Kid LAROI stating he “knew exactly what I wanted to say and how I felt” about this project. The record showcases his evolution as a songwriter and his ability to transform personal pain into compelling musical narratives that resonate beyond his specific experiences. Before I Forget features guest appearances from Andrew Aged, Clara La San, and Lithe, with production handled by an impressive team including Dopamine, Vegyn, FnZ, and others, resulting in a cohesive sonic landscape that supports the album’s emotional journey.
Has The Kid LAROI won any major awards?
The Kid LAROI has received significant recognition throughout his career, including a “Best New Artist” nomination at the 64th GRAMMY Awards in 2022, which validated his rapid ascent in the music industry. In 2024, he won Best Artist and Best Pop Release at the ARIA Music Awards, and his song “GIRLS” won “Song Of The Year” at the ARIA awards, demonstrating his continued dominance in his home country of Australia. His achievements extend beyond awards to include chart records and commercial milestones that speak to his impact on popular music. The combination of critical recognition, commercial success, and cultural impact positions him as one of the most significant artists to emerge in the early 2020s, with a career trajectory suggesting even greater accomplishments ahead.
Where can I find the best equipment to experience The Kid LAROI’s music?
To fully appreciate The Kid LAROI’s music, you need quality audio equipment that can capture the nuanced production and emotional vocal delivery that characterize his work. His tracks feature layered production with subtle details that can be lost on inferior playback systems, from the texture of his hoarse vocals to the atmospheric production elements that create mood and space within his songs. The emotional impact of his music relies heavily on the ability to hear every vocal inflection and production choice clearly, making the investment in proper listening equipment worthwhile for dedicated fans. For comparisons and recommendations on the best listening equipment, check out our comprehensive guides on headphones and earbuds that can help you make an informed decision based on your budget and listening preferences.