"Rather Be" is a song by Australian rapper and singer the Kid Laroi featuring fellow Australian rapper and singer Lithe, released on 9 January 2026 as the "focus track" from his second studio album Before I Forget. It was added to BBC Radio 1 on 23 January 2026 as the albums fourth single.
Critical reception In the week of 19 January 2026, The Music 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."
Charts +Weekly chart performance for "Rather Be" Chart (2026) Peakposition Australia (ARIA) 54 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) 4
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