Rather Be (The Kid Laroi song)
| "Rather Be" | |
|---|---|
| Song by the Kid Laroi featuring Lithe | |
| from the album Before I Forget | |
| Released | 9 January 2026 |
| Genre | R&B |
| Length | 4:24 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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"Rather Be" is a song by Australian rapper and singer the Kid Laroi from his second studio album Before I Forget, featuring Lithe. It was the focus track released alongside the album on 9 January 2026.[1]
It was added to BBC Radio 1 on 23 January 2026.[2]
Reception
In the week of 19 January 2026, The Music (magazine) staff named it their Power Pick of the week with Power Pick panelist Richard Kingsmill saying "This is a sure-fire hit from The Kid's second album, Before I Forget. It's an open book of a song about his (seemingly) heartfelt regret after the sudden relationship split with Tate McRae last year." Adding, "The r&b hook is killer, the trap beat adds a depth missing for me on "A Cold Play", and the clever tempo shift maintains the song's momentum into Lithe's impressive verse."[3]
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (2026) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[4] | 54 |
| Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[5] | 76 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[6] | 4 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[7] | 78 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[8] | 77 |
References
- ^ "New Music Friday". Official Charts Company. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Radio 1 Playlist 23rd - 29th January 2026 New additions are in bold". BBC. 23 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Power Pick 19/01/26: The Kid LAROI Featuring Lithe - "Rather Be"". The Music (magazine). 20 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 19 January 2026". The ARIA Report. No. 1872. Australian Recording Industry Association. 19 January 2026. p. 4.
- ^ "The Kid Laroi Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 16 January 2026. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 22/1/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "The Kid Laroi Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 January 2026.