From Kanye West’s little girl, North West, rapping her way into the limelight at Paris Fashion Week, to Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell’s son, Baylee, opening for the group on their “DNA” world tour – showbiz is in the genes for many children of musicians.
Here are 13 celebrity offspring following in their fathers’ footsteps.
by Leena Tailor
1 of 13
2 of 13
3 of 13
Having grown up on the road and opened for the Backstreet Boys by singing Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey covers before he even reached his teens, Brian Littrell’s son Baylee says he always saw singing as more of a fun “release,” not seriously considering music as a career until he discovered the country scene (partly thanks to the Backstreet Boys collaborating with country duo Florida Georgia Line on their 2017 song “God, Your Mama and Me”.)
Since then Baylee, 17, has launched his own career, dropping his debut country record, 770-Country, and opening for the Backstreet Boys’ on their latest DNA World Tour. As he carves out his own career, the teen has learned it’s not as easy to make it in the music industry as it once seemed. “I didn’t realize how difficult it was,” he told ET Canada. “Growing up, my dad was a superstar and I was like, ‘Wow, dad just blew up.’ I didn’t know about the 10 years before of working so hard just to get to where he is today. I just knew going out on the road with him was like vacation.”
These days, the family still hit the road together, with Leighanne now getting to watch both of her beloved boys perform their original songs on stage.
“My mom has been incredible support system and my dad’s been an amazing teacher,” Baylee says.
4 of 13
The 25-year-old daughter of Cuban-American music superstars, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, has been making her own way into the industry in recent years. Graduating from Berklee College of Music, the multi-talented musician released her debut album, 'Take Whatever You Want' in 2017. She also performed at the Kennedy Center Honors, paying tribute to her mom with the track “Reach".
Meanwhile, the couple’s son, Nayib Estefan, 39, is also reportedly pursuing showbiz, studying film in Los Angeles and also working as a DJ.
5 of 13
6 of 13
7 of 13
Kanye West couldn’t have looked prouder as his daughter, North West, 6, performed an impromptu rap at a Paris Fashion Week show for his label Yeezy in March. With her hair in braids and wearing a pink puffer jacket, the cutie was the center of attention as she rapped a piece inspired by child rapper ZaZa while models walked down the catwalk. “I’m so proud of my Northie!!!!!!” her mom, Kim Kardashian, tweeted afterwards. “Her 1st performance had me in tears!” North is the eldest of the couple’s four children.
8 of 13
9 of 13
Move over Fat Boy Slim! The “Right Now, Right Now” musician’s daughter, Nelly Cook, 10, stole the limelight over Easter, joining the increasing number of DJs streaming live sets to those self-isolating amid the coronavirus pandemic. “My name is Nelly Cook and from now on, also known as Fat Girl Slim,” the cutie said, introducing her 40-minute set, which featured cameos from her masked dad. “Today I’m going to be doing a 40-minute DJ set for you with some upbeat tunes, which will hopefully brighten up your afternoon because in lockdown and quarantine can be very, very boring.” Her EDM legend dad, whose real name is Norman Cook, then posted the video on Facebook, writing, “Nelly has watched me DJ for all of her 10 years on the planet and one day thought, ‘How hard can this be?’”
10 of 13
11 of 13
12 of 13
13 of 13
Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong’s son, Jakob, released his debut EP in 2015 after his work caught the attention of Burger Records, who signed him. The 21-year-old performs under the name, Jakob Danger in his band Ultra Q.
His brother, Joey, 24, is also in music, as the drummer for SWMRS who have released albums including 2019’s 'Berkeley’s on Fire'. During an interview with Beats 1, Armstrong described Jakob as a “great songwriter” and Joey as “an unbelievable drummer.”