It Runs in the Family: Nepotism in the Music Industry

Getting started in the music industry is usually a daunting task. But for these folks? Maybe not so much. Find out if mother/father really is like daughter/son through these atypical parent-child relationships.

Written by Lucy Chong

Ravi Shankar and Norah Jones

Renowned Texas jewel Norah Jones graduated from a Dallas performing arts high school and also just happens to be the daughter of a famous sitarist, Ravi Shankar. In a 2004 Rolling Stone interview, Jones said that “he doesn’t have anything to do with [her] or [her] music,” but the talent seems to have been passed on nonetheless. Shankar’s 1969 Woodstock performance and time tutoring George Harrison showcases his legendary status, and the star power runs in the family, as seen in Jones’ Diamond-certified album, Come Away With Me.

Julio Iglesias and Enrique Iglesias

At the beginning of his career, Enrique Iglesias entered the music world without his last name, even though his dad has sold more records than any other Latin artist. He didn’t want an unfair advantage or his dad to know about his music career plans. But with the release of his debut self-titled album that went gold in Portugal within the week, his parents may have found out about his endeavors. With Enrique now widely regarded as “King of Latin Pop,” things seem to have worked out for both of the Iglesias men.

Berry Gordon and LMFAO’s Redfoo and SkyBlu

Photo courtesy of I Love Old School Music

It turns out that these “party rockers” actually hail from MoTown royalty. The LMFAO duo is comprised of an uncle (Redfoo) and nephew (SkyBlu) relationship, but a look into their ancestry holds more surprises. Redfoo’s father is Berry Gordon, the founder of Motown Records. Gordon launched The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder, so LMFAO’s success as a duo was unsurprising. LMFAO’s electronic dance music is admittedly different than the previously mentioned predecessors, but they’re still making papa proud.

Dionne Warwick and Whitney Houston

In addition to Whitney Houston’s mom being a gospel singer, her cousin is popstar Dionne Warwick. Warwick said once that Houston was the “little girl [she] never had.” Warwick’s six Grammys and Houston’s over 200 million record sales make this family’s mark on the world quite considerable.

Jada Pinkett Smith and Jaden and Willow Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith’s heavy metal band Wicked Wisdom may or may not have influenced her kids’ respective genres, but the creativity in this family is palpable. With Willow making strides in alternative R&B and Jaden putting his spin on trap, it might be safe to assume that they’re making their mama proud.

Albert Hammond and Albert Hammond Jr.

1970s singer-songwriter, Albert Hammond, also seems to have laid a good musical foundation for his son, Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes. As a main component of the 2000s indie rock movement, Albert Hammond Jr. is a widely revered name in the music industry. We can only hope that Albert Hammond III is in the works.

Billy Cyrus and Miley Cyrus

Luckily for us, Billy Ray Cyrus was able to recover from his “Achy Breaky Heart” and give the world Miley Cyrus. Billy balanced his fatherly duties well, managing to costar in “Hannah Montana” and provide Miley access to music royalty like her godmother, Dolly Parton.

Sting and Eliot Sumner

After releasing a dance-pop album when she was 17, Eliot Sumner stopped touring, went off the grid, and later emerged as electronic DJ Vaal, opting to drop the persuasive last name. See a pattern? Growing up in The Police frontman’s household, Sumner seems to challenge conventions as often as her reggae-loving father.

Loudon Wainwright III, Kate McGarrigle, and Rufus Wainwright

Best known for his cover of “Hallelujah,” Rufus Wainwright is actually the result of a six-year marriage between American folk singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright and Canadian folk singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle. Rufus admits that his relationship with his father was strained and that his mother had hesitations about Rufus being gay, but the songwriting genes in him are strong.