From being kicked out of the housing committee surrounded by “methamphetamine heads” to billions of views, The Kid Laroi has had a great time.
It’s hard to believe that just three years ago world rap superstar The Kid Laroi lived in a block of housing commissions in the interior of Sydney’s inner west surrounded by drugs and violence.
The 18-year-old singer, who is currently touring with sold-out Australia this month, comes from humble beginnings and achieved this thanks to his dedication and talent.
Laroi, real name Charlton Howard, was born and raised in the inner suburbs of Sydney, Redfern, by her mother and uncle, who were murdered in 2015. Laroi lived in the mining town of Broken Hill in NSW region since the age of seven. with his mother, brother and grandparents.
After a short stay in Adelaide, where he attended Sacred Heart College, he moved to Sydney in 2017. It was here that he began raping at the age of 12 and caught the attention of the producer of Sydney Khaled Rohaim.
But it was not always a smooth journey. While attending the Australian Performing Arts Grammar School in Sydney on a scholarship, Howard and his mother were evicted from their homes after complaints about noise and traffic.
He spent the next two years sailing on the couch with his mother while pursuing a career in music.
In 2015, while living in Adelaide, Howard (acting under the Charlton name) began making a name for himself alongside DJ Ladykiller in a duet they called Dream Team.
In an interview with Spotify, Howard recounted his life as a teenager living in a dilapidated house very close to drug use.
“It got to a point where we couldn’t go. We were like sitting on my mom’s couch and it’s not like that. And [a man] he was literally cooking methamphetamine by our side. The shit was getting really shaky, “he said.
“When you’re kicked out of public housing, it’s like shit. Because like, public housing is the last resort. Then, after that, it’s like, ‘What the hell? Where am I going from there?’ ‘
“I took me and my little brother to LA. And we have a little house and shit.”
In 2019, thanks to the endorsement of the late rap icon Juice Wrld, The Kid Laroi burst onto the international music scene, winning two ARIAs, five Billboard Music Awards, an iHeartRadio Music Award and two Grammy Award nominations and three MTV. Music Video Awards.
Broken Hill Sacred Heart School principal Steve Byrne said Laroi’s talent was clear when he enrolled.
“That was part of the discussion when he signed up, that he did have that particular talent that had been identified,” Byrne said.
“I was definitely very creative and talented in the field of music when I was here.
“People understand better now, looking back, the talent they had.”
The director said locals were delighted to hear of his return to the countryside during his 2022 tour.
“The students are very excited to be here. It’s another great product from Broken Hill, “said Byrne.
“There’s a lot of support here for him … what a great talent.”
Laroi returned to Sydney in 2017 on a performing arts scholarship, but left mid-year 9 to pursue the show’s dream.
“I can assure you that for a 9th grader being so committed to their destiny is extraordinary,” Byrne said.
Howard, now living in the United States, appeared on Sunrise during his tour of Australia and talked about how he stays on the ground and tries to spend his money wisely. After some humble beginnings, it seems that the 18-year-old has not let success distort him.
“Someone asked me today …” Now that you’re rich, where are all your jewels? “Said the Sydney-born singer.” I said I’m trying to be rich. “
While a rich and famous lifestyle can distract so many other young stars, Laroi said his mother had instilled in him good saving habits and still helped keep him on the ground.
“(Mom) doesn’t like me spending money,” she shared, “but she does tell me to be treated because I’m always super frivolous … I’m a cheap skateboard.”
He admitted that he found it difficult to speak in public, preferring to express himself through music.
“Writing for me has always been a way out,” he said. “As you can see, I’m not the best speaker. I’m very anxious … I’m bad at communicating.
“Music is a place where I can talk about things that I’m not comfortable talking about.”
It was a point he made when asked about his girlfriend, TikTok star Katarina Deme, 18. She kept her answer short and sweet: “She’s the best.”
Deme is the theme and appears in the music video for Laroi’s new single A thousand miles.
“I didn’t know if I was ready to have a relationship,” she said. “I wanted to be a musician and that has a lot going on. But I mean, I changed my mind. “
Laroi’s next show is Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on June 4, before his last show with sold out on June 7 in Brisbane.
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