I just listened to Violet Grohl’s return to music today. Embarking on a new chapter since her standalone single, Nausea in 2021, the daughter of Foo Fighers frontman and former Nirvana member has begun her solo adventure again with double release of THUM and Applefish.

While I enjoyed its gloomy sphere of alt. rock, it’s not necessarily anything…amazing. At the heart of it, has strong presence but it neatly slots among the middle-of-the-road alternative rock. And it makes me wonder – would it get the light of day if not for the major surname lifting her career up a few rungs on the ladder? How far do we take the whole ‘nepo baby’ conjuncture? And what side of the fence are you on it?

For me, if the music is impressive in stature and stands on its own, then all the more for daughters and sons of success to find their own pathing in the world and stepping out of their parents’ shadow. After all, it’s not their fault they’re born into a silver-spoon ladled front of entertainment marvel.

What gets my back about this subject is when they outrightly refuse the reason why they’re so successful. Whilst talking to Allure Magazine, Willow Smith, daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, has openly addressed her status as a nepo baby. Despite her famous lineage and early acting/singing debut at age seven (which were ultimately attributed because of her parents) she has asserted that her success is rooted in personal talent and effort. A front, by and large and an outright denial.

Which side are you on with the topic of nepo babies?