The Genesis of a Global Anthem

“Stay,” released in 2021, quickly ascended to the top of charts worldwide, becoming a defining song of the summer. The collaboration between The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber achieved unprecedented success, reaching number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Global 200 charts. The song’s enduring popularity was further cemented by five wins at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards, including accolades for top streaming song and top collaboration.

The track’s remarkable chart performance also made history, becoming the first song in the Hot 100’s history to remain in the top 10 for an astounding 40 weeks. This longevity underscored the song’s widespread appeal and cultural impact, solidifying its place as a modern pop classic.

Addressing the Misconceptions

During a recent Twitch stream titled “The Road to Before I Forget,” The Kid LAROI directly addressed the circulating rumors regarding the song’s creation. He emphatically stated, “I wrote every single lyric on that song apart from Justin’s verse. Justin wrote every lyric of his verse.” He further clarified that the song wasn’t pitched to them, and contrary to popular belief, Charlie Puth did not write the song and simply provide it to them.

“There’s been some, like, misinterpretation somewhere along the line that the song was pitched to us. People think Charlie [Puth] wrote the song and gave it to us. That didn’t happen. I wrote every single lyric of that punch-in style,” LAROI explained. This clarification aims to set the record straight and acknowledge the significant creative input he contributed to the song’s success.

The confusion stemmed, in part, from a 2022 SiriusXM interview with Charlie Puth, where he detailed the chord progression he developed for “Stay.” Some listeners misinterpreted Puth’s explanation as an indication that he was the primary songwriter, leading to the widespread misconception.

A Young Artist’s Pride and Ownership

LAROI expressed his disappointment at seeing claims that he didn’t write his own lyrics. “I definitely did get bummed when I started seeing people say I didn’t write [‘Stay’] because I was so proud of that,” he shared on stream. “I was 17 years old. And I’m still so proud of that… That’s an accomplishment and something to be proud of. Like, ‘Damn, people think that this song was just given to me?’ That’s so crazy.”

He emphasized the collaborative effort involved, acknowledging the contributions of everyone involved while firmly asserting his ownership of the lyrics. “Shout-out to everyone who worked on that song. There was a lot of work that went into [it]; not trying to make it sound like it was just me. Equally, everyone contributed, but every single lyric on that was me.”

What role does acknowledging creative ownership play in an artist’s development, especially at a young age?

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Looking Ahead: Before I Forget

On January 6th, The Kid LAROI is set to release his highly anticipated sophomore album, Before I Forget. This follows his 2023 debut album, The First Time, which peaked at number 24 on the Billboard 200 chart.

LAROI has already given fans a taste of the new album with the release of lead single “A Cold Play,” which has sparked speculation about its inspiration – many believe the song is about his former relationship with Grammy-nominated pop star Tate McRae. More details about their split can be found here.

Beyond the Music: Future Endeavors

While The Kid LAROI focuses on his new album, other artists involved in “Stay” are also making headlines. Charlie Puth is slated to perform the national anthem at Super Bowl LX in 2026 according to Billboard, and Justin Bieber is set to headline the Coachella music festival for the first time. Details about the Coachella lineup are available on Billboard.

Frequently Asked Questions About “Stay”