From teenage heartbreak to full-circle homecomings, The Kid LAROI has spent the last few years turning raw feelings into global anthems. Now, with BEFORE I FORGET, the Australian artist digs even deeper into vulnerability, relationships, and the emotional clarity that has shaped his latest chapter.
The deluxe release arrives as LAROI gears up for his A Perfect World Tour stop in Singapore on 1 July at Arena @ EXPO (tickets available here), marking his return after previously performing at the F1 Grand Prix. This time, he is stepping back onto the Singapore stage for a headlining show of his own.
Ahead of his Singapore concert, Bandwagon caught up with LAROI to talk about how his songwriting has evolved, the album he scrapped before finding the right direction, what he learned from Juice WRLD, and the breakfast buffet memory he still thinks about from his last visit.
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You wrote F*CK LOVE when you were 16, dealing with heartbreak as a teenager. Now with BEFORE I FORGET, you’re writing about relationships and pain from a different stage of life. How has your perspective on writing about those feelings changed as you’ve gotten older, and what’s a piece of relationship advice you’d give your 16-year-old self?
I think for me, it hasn’t really been as much within the writing process. The writing process has always been pretty similar, you know, expressing myself. I think I’ve grown a lot more through my relationships, and that has changed how my music sounds, or the topics, or the subject matters.
A piece of advice I would give to my younger self about relationships: there’s a ton, to be honest, but I’ll probably say, just be more open-minded.
You’ve mentioned that you scrapped an almost-finished album because it didn’t feel right. What was it about that version of the album that made you decide to start over, and how did you know that the new direction was the one worth pursuing?
I just felt as if it didn’t represent who I was or where I was at, or even on a sonic base level. Not even as much the subject, just sonically. When I originally started it, I had an idea that I quickly got tired of, and I was just like, wow, I don’t know if I’m comfortable releasing this, so I just didn’t, and I made a new one.
You became the youngest Australian solo artist to hit #1 on the ARIA chart with F*CK LOVE. Do you remember the first thing you did after finding out?
Probably had like a nice dinner, like a nice steak, I think. Maybe like a little cake too and some candles on it, a celebration.
You’ve worked with huge names like Justin Bieber, Jung Kook and TAEYANG. Is there something like a habit or rule one of them follows that you’ve quietly adopted for yourself?
The most influential in that case would be the way that Juice WRLD recorded. I think when I was young and observed that, it was something that kind of changed the way I made music.
He used to just freestyle a lot and use a punch-in kind of style, and I think that really influenced how I’ve made a lot of my music over the years, for sure.
You grew up between Sydney and LA, but you’re still deeply connected to your roots in Australia. Is there something you do — like a specific food order or routine — that makes you feel at home no matter which city you’re in?
Yes, I love Anzac biscuits, and every time I order Anzac biscuits and have them at my house in Los Angeles, I feel like I’m back home, which is awesome.
It’s kind of like rolled oats with golden syrup. I’m not quite sure how to explain it, but I think the story was that when the soldiers back in the day would go to war, their wives would make them these biscuits because the ingredients could withstand long travel time. They’d get there and they’d still be fine to eat. They’re like desserts.
The last time you were in Singapore, you played the F1 Grand Prix, where not everyone might have known you. This time, you’re headlining your own show. Does that make you feel more nervous or less?
I probably feel less nervous now, because I always get a little bit nervous when I do festivals or shows that feel like not everyone is there for me. I think I get a little less nervous when I do my own show.
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What was your fondest memory the last time you performed in Singapore? Something that you would want to relive again now that you are coming back.
I remember the hotel that I stayed at, it was so crazy. The breakfast buffet was the best I have ever had in my entire life. It was super big, and there were so many different cuisines from all around the world in this one breakfast buffet. It was amazing!
Finally, what would you like to say to your Singapore fans, the ones who’ve been streaming BEFORE I FORGET and waiting for you to come back since 2022?
I am super excited to see you guys and I love you very much. Thank you for supporting me and listening to my music. I’m excited to see everyone when I get there, it’s gonna be amazing.
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