Nepo Babies: When Talent Becomes Overrated 

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Don't disagree with what you saying but nepobaby a stretch for some of these. Having parents that ain't shitty and actually give a fuck, not saying that it ain't fortunate but nepobaby pushing it.

Yeah, I wouldn't consider growing up in a stable and caring environment synonymous to being a nepo baby. Nepo is short for nepotism meaning that their opportunitiies were granted to them through the careers and relevance of their parents rather than their own mertis; i.e. Gracie Abrams, Willow Smith etc.

In the case of John Mayer i wouldn’t exactly call having two teachers as parents as being financially secure. I agree with your whole premise here though. Even having the emotional support of family can make a huge difference.

Well what I've learned is there is usually a reason behind someone becoming successful and famous. Everybody wants to portray the idea that I was homeless and broke and started with nothing and especially before the internet came about because you really couldn't look into it and just do anything but take them for their word. And I'm sure there's just as many that did start out that way but I guarantee you most of them did not

Them resources man I tell ya. How would you feel being an African American guitarist that can do classic cream,hendrix, zeppelin. As well as American thrash. Not to forget 60's& 70's classic r&b that was constantly played at home. Have a firm grip on music theory. As well as having the ability to write intelligent witty rhymes that have gained me respect from top 80&90's rap artist. But labeled too black for rock bands. And too white for black bands. All the while having a younger brother with a recording studio. That you made sure no one picked on in Brooklyn. But he would rather record materialistic trap music artist FREE,but not record me. Thus is my life. Some of those,"privileged " musicians get jealous when they realize that the poor person can play just as good or better than them. But it's all about those resources. No one HAS EVER made a video like this on RU-vid. You always keep it 💯

Yes these people all had an advantage but at least they did something with it and put in the time to make the most out of that advantage. Plenty of people have that advantage and are too lazy to excel. Even with resources it still takes thousands of hours of practice. Obviously I respect the people even more who came from nothing and became truly great despite the odds stacked against them as that is an inspiring story for people of all income levels.

I mean you can't take anything away from slash or Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac but I guess I look at it differently as far as you can have all the talent in the world but if you don't look half ass cool you are more than likely not going to make it. There is a reason that a lot of bands that become big became that way and not necessarily because they were as good or as technical as some of the people on this list.

That's another reason why Jimi Hendrix will never be replaced in my mind not only as the greatest creative talent but also the guitarist that had the most impact. Shove your privilege !

Always wondered when Wolfgang Van Halen's name comes up what the hell did Eddie Van Halen do with all his money when he died because Wolfgang should be a gazillionaire by now.

It’s easy to look at the rich successful ones and say “yes they made it because of the mom n dads money” but there’s plenty of people in Nashville, Austin, NYC, etc that are not successful despite all the money they’ve parents pour into them. Ultimately they has to be an audience for someone in order to be successful, money can play a big part but not the only part.

The best players were poor and are poor to this day, not even recognized by the world. Play your music for you and no one else. In this world no one really cares unless you become famous then everyone loves you right ? That's why I say play for you, and for the love of the music and nothing else.

Well I grew up poor and had to get a job period. I played professionally for 25 years self taught of course. I'm not knocking these great musicians but I'm a bit jealous because I just wonder how much better I may have been with stability. Maybe it's for the best because I was already crazy as hell so I'd probably be long dead by now.😄✌️ Great video!

It's an important topic to talk about - not just in the context of music, but life and societal structures in general. Especially in times where people are constantly being put on this guilt trip with the narrative that overachievers in society simply "worked hard", "wanted it enough", "believed in themselves" and were "grinding and hustling" while apparently everyone else is a lazy bastard who's waiting for handouts. For anyone interested in a more academic view on these things - look into Pierre Bourdieu and his "[(habitus)(capital)] + field = practice" formula.

I know what you are saying and yes it must help having money and access to good equipment and tuition but at the end of the day lot's and lot's of players are afforded that luxury that do not make it, just those very few very gifted people manage to make it, Talent finds away.

Honestly as a natural ear learner, this is important. I didn't know how hard people had to work to learn guitar. I started playing melodies from videogames with no tabs. But with no training or guidance I've totally peaked at three string sweeps and two scales i like. My memory is good with songs i know but i have no discipline.

All of these ppl in the list are very talented! Capable of making a crowd by themselves, crowd that pays for their way of living! Nepotism is something more specific and blood related!

Thank you so much for covering this. I grew up poor, played guitar for 17 years now, but luckily i play as a hobby so don't need professional recording equipment, connections etc. Got a lot of respect for people who genuinely come from nothing and take career risks to pursue their passion professionally. So often successful people, inc. guitarists talk about how it's all just hard work and practise. Sure, it is partly that, but financial security from parents, access to resources, free time, less stress, less pressure, all contribute. It's often a perfect storm of these things. I wish more people would acknowledge this, so young aspiring guitarists watching yt don't think you have to have a wall of 5k Jackson custom shop guitars, a home studio and an expensive camera and mic setup to be a great musician.

Taylor Swift is a guitar player that's a nepobaby

A thousand thumbs up for covering this angle that people do not ordinarily even consider. Being poor sucks! Not everyone is given an opportunity to make it in the music industry. 👍👍 In addition to the safety net that generational wealth provides, there is a benefit of time that others would have to spend working at jobs. There is also a risk of injury at work that can upend one's dreams in an instant.

When you have a true love for music, resources and expensive instruments are not a barrier. A genuine musician will choose music over glitz and riches because the music is the treasure.

Yeah they may have been helped by parents and what not but they earned their way to success through hard work. Also theres nothing wrong with parents wanting to support their kids

Imagine if I didn't have to hang seamless gutters, deliver papers...I could go on and on.

Might be wrong about about this, but pretty sure Misha Mansoor and Brandon Ellis were well-off before becoming musicians. Misha talks about how his parents didn't buy him a Lamborghini... as if most musicians stumble into that eventually... He seems like more of a businessman now than a musician anyway but i'd be amazed if he didn't have a massive headstart. Brandon is in an extreme death metal band (Black Dahlia Murder), so i doubt is raking in cash from that, but even before tbdm he had like a dozen + super high end guitars, home studio, amazing amp collection etc. Not to take away anything from the amazing talent of both of these guys. And you don't choose what you're born into, you take advantage of opportunities. Also i am speculating, don't take what i say as gospel. I doubt most musicians with a headstart would acknowledge how much easier it is when you have financial security

The whole part about Slash was only partly accurate…they make it seem like he started networking into his role in one of the biggest rock bands in history from birth. The guy was homeless for the first 5 years of GNR at least. Yes, you can say that he definitely grew up in proximity to people in the business, but make no mistake, he had to work his ass off. He tried out for big bands at the time, Poison being one, that weren’t willing to hire him, even with all his “connections”. The rock scene in LA at the time was primarily made of white men, and here he was, a half black male with a different look that I imagine a lot of bands didn’t care to take a chance on when it came to achieving success. He met Bowie when he was really young, and didn’t see or talk to him again until he was much, much older. Same thing with David Geffen. He had been on Geffen’s record label for years before Geffen realized that Slash was Saul Hudson, whom he had met when he was a child. Yes, Slash was born into a family of people that worked in the business - his mother did costumes for some performers and his Dad designed maybe a handful or album covers years before - but he definitely worked for what he achieved. It was no cake walk, especially in the beginning.

Mum said "You were born with nothing, we're not rich! When we (mum and dad) die, we're not leaving you anything! You have to make everything for yourself!".

Saying Matteo Mancuso showcased stage presence (at any age) is definitely stretching QUITE far...phenomenal player, but I definitely ain't rushing to grab my wallet to see him play..and notice I said play, not PERFORM. If I'm paying to see a musician, I'd better see more than someone staring at their fretboard for 1 1/2 hours.

Yea, that checks out. Rich gets richer, Poor gets poorer.

Slash wrote the most memorable guitar solos of all time.

I think it’s far to say all these players have a natural ability for the instrument.

How about Taylor Swift? Her father is one of the wealthiest stock traders in the country?

Wolf can shred, not really into his music, but that kid put some time in for sure, and hes a class act

Money dont make someone a genius

The only nepo babies on this list are slash and Wolfgang van halen. Definitely Wilfh.

You should read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, he outlines "the privilege" that the rolling stones and beatles "used" to become the biggest and best performing bands in England.

I'm sure that there are a LOT more of these that you could do.

Can't we all just agree to smack John Mayer?

I realized when going to art school , and then working within NYC's fine arts community, that the vast majority of those who became " professionals" or successful in all areas of the arts, - music, visual, film, acting, dance, - ALL came from wealthy backgrounds.The couple of individuals that I actually knew personally that went on to have actual careers were all from wealthy and sheltered backgrounds. It's funny to hear them misrepresent their "struggle" in interviews, - and slightly disgusting as well. The financial and family support usually make a critical difference.After all , Marilyn Manson and Taylor Swift both have careers courtesy of their parent's wealth and influence.TBF, the flip side is that you can generally hear and tell the difference, - unless, of course, part of the image is about privledge and entitlement. Like an old gang leader once asked ; " that's all great, but does it have heart?Do you have heart?" I know that the musicians that I follow commonly managed to break the mold, and become exceptions to the rule.

Well, this is sort of an endorsement of punk. The first wave of punk were all working class often from troubled backgrounds, they had something to say if not musical sophistication.

Upper-middle class kids grow up with a confidence that poor kids like myself just could never match. I saw it myself. The kids that never struggled or lay at night sick to nearly vomiting with anxiety about how their parents were going to pay the bills just have a thing where they glide through life. I had friends like that and everything just came natural to them. Everything I achieved in life was a pitched battle against the loser mindset I grew up in.

NOt entirely disagreeing or agreeing with what you are trying to convey but using your own logic, Sean Lennon had all the resources available to his advantage including DNA make up from one of the greatest song writers that has ever walked the earth... yet that didn't do much for Sean's career. Similar example with different outcome, Wolf VH... he had DNA and support from one of the most talented guitar virtuosos in the history of ROCK however Wolf actually has talent as he has already carved his own lane in Rock generating quite a fan base in the short time he's been putting out music. Mammoth WVH's fan may have come to check out their music as curiosity but stayed because the music is good. I have seen them live a few times and Wolf sounds just like the records live. At the end of the day, nepo babies cannot fake their way to the top if they lack talent and sustain that success with a loyal fan base. John Mayer, has been revered by the like of Eric Clapton, BB King and a plethora of guitar players... while he might have a leg up in the financial support department his musical talent skills are more on the natural side to tap into that magic that some either have it or don't. And that is the reason he is able to sustain a loyal following base by being relentless and working hard. It's not as easy as you may think to get Infront of thousands and perform at will.

This video just makes me have more of an appreciation for those great blues musicians of the early 20th century who grew up in the jim crowe era of the deep south on plantations. Musicians like muddy waters , Bb king, howlin wolf, and BUDDY GUY! They didnt have anything but a cheap 2 dollar guitar and a dream and inspite of all the adversity they faced and disadvantages they were born into, they still had the fortitude and determination to make things happen ❤

Imo, you’re way too generous in the video. Like, yeah, a stabile upbringing is a huge plus, but let’s not pretend that’s the main problem. The main problem is musicians (and actors, this is a problem in all of Hollywood, not just the music industry) becoming popular, not because they’re super talented, but because their parents have the connections to get them good contracts. Then, the record labels do some marketing, and boom, you have a completely new, fake, not in any way organic superstar, that didn’t actually earn their success. And the problem isn’t that their parents helped them, it’s not even that they’re popular, it’s that they became popular in such a forced and inorganic way, through sheer marketing. And even better, the end product could be dogshit, it will still sell if marketed enough and in the right way. While actually talented artists, with a genuine message, are left starving.

To jest materiał, na który wszyscy czekaliśmy! Dzięki.

i always wonder how far i could have gone if i had the right support. i grew up around playing music but it wasn't focused to develop my potential. then later i learned to play crowds but i was too old by then to be in a true rock band. i like the story of Angus Young's rise to fame. thats real rock and roll!

It used to be that you found your own interests away from your parents because very few parents were cool. Now all parents are cool and people prance out of the womb with a selfie stick and their parents cool credits

if you look at slashs biography he didnt have an easy road with guns and roses ,in fact he avoided using his industry contacts, wanting to make it on his own

Tom Scholz from Boston - his dad was a builder of luxury houses and ....... a millionaire

I was never impressed with tim henson

Another great video 😊

Apparently Trivium were all rich kids, too.

Enjoyed that 😊

Still...99.99% of all guitarists will never make a dime for playing. Because the key word is Play. I'm like almost everyone else, it's just a moderately expensive hobby that's a lot of fun.

By definition, a Nepobaby is someone who has only gotten famous due to being related to someone famous. Education and family wealth means nothing if their parents arent famous musicians themselves. All that indicates is that they're bloody lucky!

Hanneman,kreator guitarist

it's like this in all the arts. can you rent out a gallery in nyc for your opening? do you have to have a job?

I can see how these guys had advantages and all, but like as a lower middle class raised kid, having bad equipment doesn’t make me better, I’m just as good on a Squier as I would be on a Gibson or smth, just growing up with rich parents doesn’t make you good, it just takes some of the risk away from going for it and trying to make it in music.

Sports too.

Cracks me up when John Mayer tries to ape Hendrix's stage rap "Hope you don't mind if I play my guitar".A few years back when we played the Cavern in Liverpool I visited John Lennon's house which was definitely an upper class Tudor style 2 story home while the rest of the Beatles were raised in government housing.It's funny how these white guys like to portray themselves as a working class heros.Btw I met Stuart Copeland drummer of the Police who was definitely born with a silver spoon in his mouth as his dad was head of the C.I.A. in the Middle East.He was raised with nannies & still plays that rich man's sport:polo.

all the money and connections don't mean shit if you don't have natural talent and good work ethic. Timing is everything but who you know wont matter one bit if you are an average artist.

To show theres no ill feelings even though i dont like this video i hit the thumb up cause i do like youre work in general #310

I appreciate the work that you put into this but "nepo babies"? Really? Since when is growing up in a financially stable family nepotism?

So I guess the maxim holds true: It's not what ya know, it's who ya know...

I grew up in a middle class Family. LOL

I basically had to put up with a jazz elitist in music school who was one of these, snickering at me daily.

Wow your hitting the G spot...😅

A lot of this is very repetitive. But once I learned that you can only make it by having rich parents or a well-connected relative, I gave up the dream. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Poor famous musicians next?

I guess your only allowed to be a REAL musician if you lived the shittiest life

'I attended the highly respected music school known as the Dole'' - Steve Hughes.

I don't think that having caring parents, who actually do their jobs, is the same thing as being a nepobaby. Even if someone were a nepobaby, it doesn't mean that they would have any talent. Your premise is a real stretch. Plenty of talented people, who achieved success, had no family encouragement whatsoever, and money sure can't buy talent. TBH, you sound kind of jealous.

so I guess Kotzen is the best?

what was the point of the video? just because someone had good things in life doesnt mean they didnt work any harder to get where they are. Stop being a low key hater.

12:30 What in the name of RICHIE BLACKMORE?

Matt Heafy....daddy literally bought him a record deal. Trivium were coddled every step of the way too, from paying to be on concert tours and festivals to having the whole band equipped with top-tier instruments and gear. 😂

Got it- Can't win, don't try.

Talent is equally distributed but opportunity is not. I was a musical prodigy from a young age but I couldn’t afford lessons nor good quality guitars and equipment. Other less talented musicians with wealthy parents with connections managed to get way ahead of me. I gave lessons and helpful advice to some of them early in their musical development but I doubt they’ll admit it now. I’m still a far superior musician but unlike them the world will probably never know my name. Like they say, the greatest musicians are unknown. But, I’m not bitter and I have Jesus in my life and so I have peace when I sleep at night, a hot and sweet wife and 2 beautiful children which is something non of my other contemporaries have. God bless

That's why you have to respect Dave, James, Kirk, and Kilff... Not, Lars. Aka rich kind with no talent. 😄

John Mayer sucks anyways lame no heart no soul so you see that's what happens when you're coddled look at Kurt Cobain had to suffer had it hard his music and John Mayer's is worlds apart John Mayer's music is so pedestrian and lame his name shouldn't be even uttered in the same paragraph as Kurt Cobain's I've always thought John Mayer really sucks anyways now I know why