From Waterloo to world tours, the scale of Kid LAROI’s success cannot be overstated.
The 18-year-old is the first Indigenous and youngest Australian to rocket to the top of the US Billboard charts, with two Grammy nominations, and multiple Aria and MTV awards.
The Kamilaroi man’s life is a fairytale rags to riches story that has seen him rise from humble beginnings in Sydney’s south-western suburbs to collaborating with some of the biggest names in music including Justin Beiber and Miley Cyrus.
Back in Australia to kick off his world tour, LAROI, aka Charlton Howard, took the opportunity to reflect on his meteoric rise to fame.
“It's crazy. I try not to think about this stuff too much," he told NITV's The Point.
"I try to you know, keep pushing and always keep thinking about the next thing but I think being home has been one of those reminders for me that coming back to where I'm from and how different it is for me now.
“I think it's just yeah, it's mind-blowing I'm beyond grateful, though, and blessed."
The Kid LAROI in Waterloo. Source: Supplied
Return to Waterloo
Despite the 18-year-old’s mega-stardom one of the first things LAROI did on his return home was to donate $100,000 to the youth centre in South Sydney’s Redfern/Waterloo area where it all started.
The youth centre provided a safe creative space for a troubled 13-year-old dealing with family struggles and the death of his uncle years earlier.
“Who knows where I would have been," he said.
"When I heard that they were thinking about cutting funding . . . trying to shut them down I was like, absolutely not.
"I think it's such an important thing for kids to be able to have that and get excited for that type of stuff the same way that”
LAROI said the centre played a huge role in his early life.
“The importance of the Fact Tree Youth Service for me growing up - it impacted me a lot," he said.
“It helped shape who I am today and it was one of those things that helped me and loads of other kids in the community I think like grow creatively, and always kept us out of trouble.“
Playing to sold-out arenas through the world and now in Australia, LAROI says his connection to Waterloo is so important he brought his 18-year girlfriend and Tik Tok star Katarina Demetriades to visit the suburb.
“It's important for her to see where I'm from and see, my friends and people I grew up with and my family," he said.
“I brought her to Waterloo with me the other day I think it was cool for her to put you know, faces to names and places to stories.
"It was a really dope moment for me and I think it better helps her understand me and where I'm from and the reason I'm why I am and the reason I do what I do.”
'You can do it'
With legions of adoring young fans around the world, the rapper opened up about his fears and why he keeps pursuing his musical dreams.
“One of my biggest things - trying to get to where I am was to just show people, no matter who you are or where you're from you can do it.
“I think the biggest thing is don't be scared to chase it - for so, long I was so scared to even tell anybody I rapped - and then the moment I did - the moment I started working hard and working towards something and having goals - that helped me a lot.
The Kid LAROI will play five shows in Australia before heading to the European leg of his End of the World tour.
Catch the full interview on NITV's flagship current affairs show The Point at 7.30pm Tuesdays, or later on SBS and
