Rather Be (The Kid Laroi song)

Last updated

"Rather Be"
Song by the Kid Laroi featuring Lithe
from the album Before I Forget
Released9 January 2026 (2026-01-09)
Genre R&B
Length4:24
Label Columbia
Songwriters
Producers
  • AuzTheKid
  • Dopamine
  • FnZ
  • Khaled Rohaim

"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]

Contents

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

Weekly chart performance for "Rather Be"
Chart (2026)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [4] 54
Canada Hot 100 ( Billboard ) [5] 76
UK Singles (OCC) [6] 78
US Billboard Hot 100 [7] 77

References

  1. "New Music Friday". Official Charts Company . 9 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  2. "Radio 1 Playlist 23rd - 29th January 2026 New additions are in bold". BBC . 23 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  3. "Power Pick 19/01/26: The Kid LAROI Featuring Lithe - "Rather Be"". The Music (magazine) . 20 January 2026. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  4. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 19 January 2026". The ARIA Report. No. 1872. Australian Recording Industry Association. 19 January 2026. p. 4.
  5. "The Kid Laroi Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  6. "Official Singles Chart on 22/1/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  7. "The Kid Laroi Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved 26 January 2026.