Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard, born on August 17, 2003, is a prominent Australian singer-songwriter and rapper professionally known as The Kid Laroi (stylized as The Kid LAROI).
His journey to fame commenced through his association and camaraderie with the American rapper Juice Wrld during the latter’s tour in Australia. His initial recognition burgeoned within local circles before forging a partnership with Lil Bibby’s Grade A Productions and Columbia Records. This collaboration propelled him into the limelight in 2021, particularly with the release of “Stay,” a track co-created with Justin Bieber. Notably, “Stay” soared to the top of global charts, securing the number 1 spot in his home country of Australia, as well as in Canada, the United States, and various other nations.
The inaugural mixtape in his discography, “F*ck Love,” made its debut in 2020 and remarkably achieved the summit of the Australian ARIA Charts. This accomplishment earned him the distinction of being the youngest Australian solo artist to attain this achievement. The mixtape’s success extended to the US, where it also clinched the number 1 position on the US Billboard 200 chart.
Noteworthy tracks in Howard’s repertoire, including “Without You” and its Miley Cyrus remix, along with the collaborative effort “Stay” featuring Justin Bieber, accomplished impressive feats on the Billboard Hot 100, with the latter maintaining its number 1 status intermittently for seven weeks. The Kid Laroi boldly asserts that he doesn’t confine himself to a single genre, as he revels in creating both rap and pop music.
Early Life:
Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard entered the world on August 17, 2003, in Waterloo, New South Wales, situated in the inner south of Sydney. His immediate family includes his brother Austin Howard. His father, Nick Howard, boasts a career as a music producer and sound engineer, having collaborated with luminaries in the Australian music scene such as Bardot and Delta Goodrem. Howard’s mother, Sloane Howard, left an indelible mark as a talent manager, record label founder, and music executive. Notably, she hailed from a lineage that encompassed both Aboriginal and European heritage. She also managed the victor of Popstars, Scott Cain.
The ancestral lineage on his mother’s side is intertwined with the Stolen Generation—a group of mixed Aboriginal descent children. This connection traces back to his great-great-grandfather, hailing from the Gamilaraay (Kamilaroi) community. It’s from this heritage that he derives his artistic moniker, “Laroi.”
Charlton’s father wasn’t a consistent presence in his upbringing; hence, his uncle shouldered the role of a father figure. A tragic incident in 2015 saw the loss of this guiding figure in his life. This adversity served as a wellspring of inspiration for Howard, motivating him to transcend challenges and honor his uncle’s memory. The separation of his parents when he was four ushered in a turbulent chapter in his childhood.
Howard reveals that his mother even resorted to selling drugs to make ends meet. At the age of seven, he relocated to Broken Hill, a rural enclave in New South Wales, where he resided with his mother, brother, and grandparents. His educational journey encompassed Sacred Heart Parish School, where he held the position of house captain and clinched a public speaking accolade. His family’s subsequent move back to Sydney in 2017 marked a new phase in his life.
