The Kid LAROI releases ‘RATHER BE’ featuring Lithe, a new single from his ‘BEFORE I FORGET’ project. Produced by Auz!, FNZ, and Murphi on Columbia Records. Listen, stream, buy the track, mp3 download.
Australian singer and rapper The Kid LAROI will release a new single titled “RATHER BE” featuring artist Lithe. The track serves as part of his newly announced project “BEFORE I FORGET.” Production for the song comes from a team including Auz!, FNZ, Murphi, and Khaled Rohaim. The single is scheduled for release this week through Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. The Kid LAROI, born Charlton Howard, first achieved global fame with his breakout hit “Stay” featuring Justin Bieber. That song topped charts in multiple countries and broke streaming records, catapulting him to international stardom. His debut mixtape “F*CK LOVE” demonstrated his ability to blend melodic rap with emotive pop themes, building a dedicated Gen-Z fanbase. His career trajectory represents a digital-age rise, leveraging online platforms to transition from viral snippets to mainstream chart dominance.
the kid laroi before i forget
The four-minute length of “RATHER BE” suggests a more expanded narrative structure compared to shorter, hook-driven hits. The featured artist, Lithe, represents a newer voice, continuing LAROI’s pattern of collaborations that bridge audiences. The production collective, notably Auz! and FNZ, have credits on major pop and hip-hop records, indicating a sound designed for both streaming playlists and radio formats. The release through Columbia Records provides the major-label infrastructure for a global promotional push. This single follows a period of anticipation for new material from the artist, who has been teasing projects since the height of his previous success. The title “BEFORE I FORGET” hints at themes of memory and preservation, while “RATHER BE” clearly points to longing and preference in a relationship.
For The Kid LAROI, this release tests his ability to evolve his sound while maintaining the emotional vulnerability that defined his early hits. His influence is marked by a fusion of rap cadences with pop-punk and emo sentiments, a style that has shaped a segment of contemporary pop. Releasing a project rather than a standard album allows for creative focus without the traditional industry expectations of a sophomore album. The involvement of trusted hitmakers in production ensures commercial polish. For the music industry, his every move is watched as a indicator of youth market trends. “RATHER BE” is the first piece of new music that will define his next creative phase and determine his staying power beyond viral success.
The Kid LAROI – RATHER BE (ft. Lithe)
From the finally released “BEFORE I FORGET” project
Produced by Auz!, FNZ, Murphi, Khaled Rohaim
January 9, 2026
1 song, 4 minutes
℗ 2025 Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment
