From recording tracks on cheap microphones in Sydney housing projects to topping the Billboard charts alongside Justin Bieber, Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard—known globally as The Kid Laroi—has rewritten the rules of modern pop rap. His trajectory proves that raw digital-age distribution can bridge the gap between remote Australian hip-hop scenes and global superstardom before a teenager even finishes high school.
Understanding his rise requires looking past the viral hooks and chart positions. His catalog is built on a blend of melodic pain, rapid internet mentorship, and relentless studio output that turned teenage trials into an international phenomenon.
Early Life and Indigenous Roots in Sydney
Born on August 17, 2003, in Waterloo, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Howard grew up navigating financial instability and family disruption. He is of Aboriginal Australian descent, specifically belonging to the Kamilaroi nation, a heritage that inspired his professional stage name.
Music offered an early escape from a transient childhood where he frequently moved between different suburbs and public housing. Influenced by his mother's extensive collection of classic soul, R&B, and 90s hip-hop—including Tupac Shakur, Erykah Badu, and Kanye West—he began writing rhymes in his early teens.
"I wanted to change my family's situation and break the cycle," Howard shared in early interviews about his initial push into recording.
The SoundCloud Era and 14 with a Dream
Before global labels took notice, the Australian underground hip-hop scene served as his proving ground. Working out of makeshift bedroom setups, he uploaded tracks to SoundCloud and YouTube under various monikers before locking in on his current identity.
In August 2018, just a day before turning 15, he independently released his debut EP, 14 with a Dream. The project featured local collaborations and showcased a melodic sensitivity rare for someone of his age. Around the same time, he gained national traction by finishing in the top five of the Triple J Unearthed High competition with his gritty single "Disconnect".
Performance opportunities quickly followed. He supported visiting American acts, performed at regional Australian festivals like Listen Out, and caught the attention of local tastemakers who recognized his relentless work ethic.
Mentorship by Juice WRLD and US Breakthrough
The defining turning point in Laroi's career arrived when American rapper Juice WRLD toured Australia in 2018 and 2019. After opening for Juice WRLD, Laroi forged a close personal and creative bond with the late Chicago artist. Juice WRLD took the young Australian under his wing, inviting him to Los Angeles to live, write, and absorb the inner workings of professional recording studios.
This mentorship accelerated Laroi's transition from local SoundCloud rapper to international prospect. In 2019, he signed a joint venture deal with Grade A Productions (led by executive Lil Bibby) and Columbia Records.
His 2020 debut commercial mixtape, Fck Love*, captured the angst of teenage heartbreak over shimmering trap beats. The project climbed the charts, eventually peaking at number one on the US Billboard 200, making him a household name and cementing his commercial viability outside of Australia.
Global Domination with "Stay" and Beyond
While tracks like "Without You" demonstrated his knack for acoustic-driven pop crossover appeal, 2021 changed everything. Teaming up with Justin Bieber, Laroi released "Stay," an infectious pop-rap track that dominated global airwaves.
"Stay" shot to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, stayed near the top for weeks, and broke streaming records across Spotify and Apple Music. It solidified his reputation not just as a passing internet trend, but as a generational hitmaker capable of anchoring stadium-sized anthems.
He expanded his creative footprint with subsequent releases, including his studio album The First Time and collaborative work featured in music documentaries and films like Y2K. Rather than resting on the success of his early teen years, he continually pivoted toward a mature, guitar-heavy pop-rock fusion inspired by artists like Travis Barker and early 2000s alternative rock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Kid Laroi's real name?
His birth name is Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard.
Where did the name "Laroi" come from?
The name is derived from his Indigenous Australian heritage as a member of the Kamilaroi people.
How did he get discovered?
He built an organic following on SoundCloud and YouTube, gained national recognition through Australia's Triple J Unearthed High competition, and subsequently caught the attention of Juice WRLD, who mentored him and helped secure his US record deal.
What was his first major global hit?
While "Without You" brought him widespread attention, his 2021 collaboration with Justin Bieber, titled "Stay," became his first global number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100.
