The music industry is vast, and most artists get into it in different ways. Sometimes one has to do it the hard way and jump in head first. Other times, artists are lucky enough to be discovered through the internet, like in the case of Justin Bieber, who caught the eye of talent manager Scooter Braun.
Sometimes, music becomes a family affair. Parents start out as rappers or singers, and their children, having grown up in that environment, pick up the craft.
7 Willow Smith Is Will Smith's Daughter
In 2010, Willow Smith made a successful entry into the music industry with her hit single ‘Whip My Hair’. The success of the song led her to get signed as the youngest artist on Jay-Z’s record label, Roc Nation. While she went on a musical hiatus, Willow has since made a comeback, releasing four studio albums, including her most recent piece of work, Lately I Feel Everything. Smith is a chip off the old block. Her father, Will Smith, grew popular as a rapper, churning out hits like 'Parents Just Don’t Understand' alongside his then-partner in crime, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and winning awards while at it.
6 Miley Cyrus Is Billy Ray Cyrus's Daughter
Cyrus grew famous by playing Hannah Montana, a role through which she also managed to release several hits. Part of her success can be attributed to the fact that she is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. As of 2021, Billy Ray Cyrus is nearly equally successful. Having grown in popularity in the early nineties, he has 16 studio albums and 53 singles to show for his time in the music industry.
5 Enrique Iglesias Is Julio Iglesias' Son
With more than 70 million records sold since the beginning of his career, Enrique Iglesias is one of the most successful musicians of Latin origin. Not only does he have a million-dollar deal with Universal, but the singer has five Billboard Hot 100 singles. Iglesias’ father, Julio Iglesias, is equally a legend in his own right, having sold upwards of 100 million records all over the world. In addition to winning numerous awards, Julio Iglesias has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is an inductee in the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. Since the beginning of his career, Julio has released more than 40 albums and performed in more than 5000 concerts.
4 Alexa Ray Joel Is Billy Joel's Daughter
When she was 19 years old, Alexa Ray Joel put a band together and landed her very first gig. A year later, she would release her very first extended play. The singer, who’s also very good at playing the piano, often prefers to release her music independently, and shares snippets of her keyboard expertise with her audience. Her father is Billy Joel, who gave her a middle name that’s an ode to Ray Charles, with whom he worked.
3 Jaden Smith Is Will Smith's Son
Willow, though the youngest of the Smiths, is not the only one who caught the music bug. Jaden, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s firstborn son, is also in the music business. Just like Willow, his was a strong start with the song ‘Never Say Never’, in which he collaborated with Justin Beiber. Since then, he has released three studio albums and top-charting singles such as ‘Icon’, which is certified platinum. His mother, Jada, after whom he was named, is a founding member of the metal band Wicked Wisdom, which she started in 2002.
2 Robin Thicke Is Alan Thicke and Gloria Loring's Son
Robin Thicke’s singing career dates all the way back to the ‘90s, with top hits such as ‘Lost Without You’. He gained fame all over the world for his 2013 collaboration with Pharrell Williams, ‘Blurred Lines’. The The Masked Singer judge has made plenty of headlines, and his most famous parent is actor Alan Thicke. Thicke’s mother, Gloria Loring, was not only an actress but also a musician. Loring, who was married to Thicke from 1970 to 1986, was exceptional at playing the trumpet and churned out several singles, some of which landed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
1 Ziggy Marley Is Bob Marley's Son
Not only is Ziggy Marley a super successful musician with eight Grammys to his name, but he also has an Emmy to show for the years he has been in the music industry. He rose to prominence by performing with his siblings in a band dubbed ‘Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers’, which recorded eight studio albums. Marley’s father, music legend Bob Marley, needs no introduction. Marley is credited with popularizing and introducing reggae music to the world through the 1965 single ‘One Love’. His widow, Rita Marley, was a vocalist with Bob Marley’s band, making theirs an all-around musical family.
