interview by JANA LETONJA

Numéro Netherlands presents THE KID LAROI for the cover of the 11th edition. The GRAMMY nominated Australian rapper and singer has established himself as one of the fastest rising stars. He recently embarked on his 31 date tour across US, THE FIRST TIME TOUR, and also earlier this year released his feature-length documentary KIDS ARE GROWING UP: A STORY ABOUT A KID NAMED LAROI on Prime Video. This November, he returns to Australia with special guests Quavo and ONEFOUR for a massive arena run, his biggest yet.

jacket SECOND LAYER
shirt and tie NOAH COLLINS
eyewear JACQUES MARIE MAGE

You just wrapped THE FIRST TIME TOUR around US. What is your favorite memory from the tour that took you across the States?

THE FIRST TIME TOUR was great. It was really fun to play all the new music and play all the stuff I was working on for the last couple of years. The last stuff I was performing, I made when I was 16, so it was fun to play more current music.

There’s so many good memories that stood out. Los Angeles and New York were both fun. New York was crazy because we had that pop up, the street got shut down and I couldn’t get out of the car because there was so many people. Just to play at Radio City was so cool. It’s such an iconic venue. And LA just felt special. I have a lot of friends that came.

This tour was in support of your debut album THE FIRST TIME, which you released at the end of 2023. How long were you working on this album, and what truly inspired you the most in creating its tracks?

I think technically, I was working on the album for 2 and a half years. In reality, most of the songs came together in the last 7 months. Any time before that was just leading up to the creation of the songs. 5 months before the album, there was a different version of it. And I went through crazy life stuff that just ended up changing the album.

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top and belt Vintage
trousers ACNE STUDIOS
right
eyewear JACQUES MARIE MAGE
necklace ALABASTER
jacket SECOND LAYER
top Vintage

This Summer, you also released the DELUXE VERSION of the album, including five new tracks. What made you decide to release the Deluxe edition of the album, and what was the fans’ reception when you released it?

I think I had a handful of songs from that time and era that didn’t fit the project, but they were too good to not put out. I’m in this bag that I want to drop and not be too precious with songs.

hoodie Vintage
ring GOOD ART HLYWD

You’ve worked with many differents artists on this album, like Jungkook and Future among others. What do you find the most challenging creatively when collaborating with other artists?

If there’s something that’s too challenging when collaborating, it might not be the right fit. I think collaboration is supposed to come really naturally and easy. I think the most challenging part about it is setting up release dates and trying to get on the same schedule and time period as everybody. Creatively, I think everything should just flow.

tie NOAH COLLINS
shirt Vintage with Custom Illustrations by JONATHAN ROSADO
trousers COLORS CLOTHING COMPANY
shoes OUR LEGACY

Probably the most known record you did was the collaboration with JUSTIN BIEBER on STAY, a hit that accumulated a huge amount of awards. How do you look back on this track, and what has it meant for your career?

It changed the trajectory of my life and career. At the time, it was so big that it scared me a little bit. The pressure of having a song that big scared me. I look back at that moment now just happy that I got to make such an impact with someone who’s my best friend and my biggest inspiration. I think that’s the coolest part of that record and it just taught me a lot.

shirt SONG FOR THE MUTE
top Vintage
jacket SECOND LAYER
necklace ALABASTER
bracelet GOOD ART HLYWD
belt CHROME HEARTS
shorts BASKETCASE GALLERY
shoes OUR LEGACY
socks UNIQLO

One of biggest achievements so far in your career must be the GRAMMY nomination back in 2022 for the Best New Artist. What were the thoughts running through your mind when you heard you’ve been nominated for the most prestigious award in music there is?

It just felt super cool.

eyewear JACQUES MARIE MAGE
thermal undershirt SECOND LAYER
shirt BASKETCASE GALLERY

In your home country, Australia, you made history with becoming the youngest solo artist ever to reach No. 1 on the Australian ARIA Charts. With achieving already so many successes, what are your biggest dreams and golas to achieve next in your career?

I want to keep making music that I’m proud of, and figure out ways that eventually I can help out other young artist.

beanie DVS
shirt NO MAINTENANCE

You enjoy both hip hop and pop. Why do you think it is important to not box yourself into one genre of music? Is there perhaps a genre you haven’t yet, but would really love to explore?

I don’t know, I’ve never thought about that. I just love so many different types of music and I make whatever I feel like it on the day. I don’t really think about it as making different genres and making different things. I just kind of make vibes. I love music so much and digest so much of it that I think it naturally comes through in my songs.

top and belt Vintage
trousers ACNE STUDIOS

In a world where TikTok immensely impacts everything, including music, what do you see its biggest benefits for yourself and your music?

It’s just another way I get to connect with the fans on a better level, and understand and see visually how they react to music.

This November, you’ll go on your biggest arena tour yet, in Australia. What are you most excited about for this tour and what can the gans expect from it?

It’s definitely going to be the best show that I have ever done. I’m trying to elevate the performance and create more of a world and experience for the fans.

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shirt NOAH COLLINS
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top Vintage

After the tour, what is coming up next for you? What can you sare with us about your upcoming projects?

I can’t share much yet, but I’m working on a new album, so stay tuned.

TEAM CREDITS:
talent THE KID LAROI
photography BYRON SPENCER
styling DREW HEMNES
grooming JOHNNY STUNTZ STUNTZBEAUTY
producer SARA LEMIEUX
set designer CARTER MCNEILL
director of photography BEN MONTAGUE
artist JONATHON ROSADO
on set illustrations JONATHON ROSADO
collage artist KITTY CALLAGHAN
painting SHAL DANIEL ALLEN
extra illustrations LUCIAN STRICKER
styling assistant BLAKE NUNN
photography assistant EMILY PINTO
set assistant B ARMSTRONG
production assistant NOVA HATTINGH
location THANK YOU TO THE HATTINGH FAMILY
editor TIMI LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN

IN CONVERSATION WITH THE KID LAROI

IN CONVERSATION WITH DITA VON TEESE

IN CONVERSATION WITH KELLY RUTHERFORD