Get To Know: The Kid Laroi

What the heck were you doing at fifteen?

I know what I was doing, and it sure as hell wasn't making music as real or spitting bars as big as THE KID LAROI.

He's just recently dropped his first ever official video clip, and it's coming at us with visuals for two of his singles - 'Blessings' & 'Boss Up'. Both of these tracks feature on his debut EP 14 With A Dream which yep, you guessed it, he put together when he was 14.

Putting his age aside for a hot minute though, the EP is damn exceptional. Giving heavyweight hip-hop artists a massive run for their money, The Kid Laroi's used this EP to solidify himself as a damn clever wordsmith, with an eye for innovative songwriting to match. His brand of melodic rap sees him switching from polyrhythmic flows to catchy choruses, all in the space of a few beats.

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Working with Sydney hip-hop producer Miracle, the duo is a match made in heaven, with Miracle finding just the right sounds to compliment not only the flow, but the mood and topics of Laroi's tracks.

'Blessings' is a pretty heavy look into some of South Sydney's teens growing up in a world without promise. He's using his sounds as a vehicle to understand himself and the world around him, and I think that's one of the reasons why this project is so exciting.

With regular spins on FBi Radio, jumping on stage with Manu Crook$ at Listen Out in Sydney & Tkay Maidza at One Night Stand, supporting LA RnB duo THEY. in both Sydney and Melbourne, spending time in the studio with 6lack, a forthcoming track with Lil Skies and more recently being announced as the support at Juice Wrld's upcoming shows as well as playing the Beats One showcase hosted by Zane Lowe tonight in Sydney, Laroi's just getting started.

We threw a few questions his way to get to know him before he undoubtedly blows the fuck up!

Who are you?

I’m an artist & I create music for people who can connect to it.

How did The Kid LAROI. come to be?

I’ve been creating music for a while. I kinda owe it to my mumma for playing good music while I was growing up. She was playing shit like Erykah Badu, 2Pac, Fugees, Kanye, all that. I always was drawn to the music. I started writing when I started experiencing certain things. It was a way to express myself. It helped a lot with a lot of anger I had inside of me.

What are we talking, vibe-wise?

My biggest musical influence is Kanye West. His album 808’s & Heartbreaks changed my look on music. I remember when it first came out and my mum got the disc and put it on. It was different, but I loved it. I think that’s when I fell in love with auto tune haha. Vibe wise, it's whatever I am feeling, I have songs that are up and songs that are down depends on what is happening in my life at the time, the producer or beat I am writing to, I don't like to be boxed in to one style.

Tell us a bit about your new clip for ‘Blessings’.

Me and Julian (Machuca), met up and just shot some random shit around my area and put it together. ‘Cause I guess the whole song is about being thankful for what you have. So, I’m thankful for where I’m from and the people I’m with!

What can we expect from you moving forward?

More art.

Where can we hear more of your work?

Most of my songs are on Soundcloud.

JUICE WRLD AUSTRALIAN TOUR

With The Kid Laroi

Friday, January 4

Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Get tickets here.

Saturday, January 5

Forum Theatre, Melbourne

Get tickets here.