Getting into the family business is a time-honoured tradition, however, when your dad is an international pop icon, the scrutiny is tenfold.
That’s the reality for Moses Martin, as the 19-year-old son of Chris Martin (and Gwyneth Paltrow) launches his music career.
He and his band, People I’ve Met, are offering a moodier alt-rock sound compared to that of Coldplay and have been snapped up by a record label already.
Signed to Interscope Records, who boast Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, and Billie Eilish on the roster, the group just dropped their debut single, Promise.
Moses was quickly hit with the classic ‘nepo baby’ discourse, with many accusing his famous father of giving him a leg up in the cutthroat industry.
While the budding singer may look more like his actress mum, those vocals are unavoidably Coldplay-coded.
‘We’re at the summit of better lives/ Can you give me more time?/ We’re over-damaged and undermined/ Give it up one more time,’ he sings on the low-fi infused track.
It’s not surprising that he’s following in his dad’s footsteps considering he’s already played Glastonbury as a guest on one of Coldplay’s many, many headlining slots.
Posting the song on Instagram, Moses wrote: ‘So proud of this song. Endlessly grateful for the band and @noahconrad for helping to make this song so special. Hope you enjoy.’
Moses’ announcement was quickly met with disgruntled nepo-baby naysayers, declaring he’s been given a fast track in a brutal industry.
While the debate around celebs’ kids rages on, David Frossman – who has worked for major labels Sony Music and Universal Music Group – told Metro, ‘nepo babies are not going anywhere.’
‘They have been part of the DNA of the entertainment industry forever. It’s always been about connections, so those born into those networks have a head start,’ he explained.
We’ve recently seen Kate Winslet deny that her status helped her 21-year-old-son Joe Anders get into the film industry, with a movie she is directing.
Richard Curtis’ daughter Scarlett hit back at The Holiday star, saying it was more than handouts, it was about ‘growing up in a world that is notoriously hard to penetrate’.
David agreed with Scarlett, saying ‘way too much is made’ of the initial connections boost and doesn’t actually mean the young star will thrive.
‘Connections will get you in front of the right people, but you need to have the talent to get you anywhere further,’ he said.
There is ‘much greater scrutiny’ placed on a well-known surname, but it is also ‘more marketable’ than a complete unknown.
In the days before social media, this familial boost would have certainly improved your chances of getting in front of label bosses, but now a viral moment can launch you into the stratosphere.
‘Social media brings both virility and the potential for brutal reality – it doesn’t allow for mediocre to last very long,’ David warned.
At the end of the day, you still have to prove your place. Perhaps even more so when you’ve had a little help getting in the door.
David, who is now Global Media Director at W Communications, believes there is one major factor in the industry that the nepo discourse ignores. Money.
More often than not, it comes with financial security,’ he said. ‘THAT is a greater advantage.’
Let’s be real, it is those with wealth – not just fame – who are able to put in the hours without the pesky worry of working another full-time job.
The class divide in music is one of the most glaring issues facing young artists, with working-class creatives making up less than 10% of the industry.
The Sutton Trust shared that ‘top-selling musicians are 6 times more likely than the public to have attended private schools (43% vs 7%)’.
That same report did note that the divide better mirrors the wider population when looking at UK pop stars specifically, with 8% privately-educated.
David concluded: ‘Making it in the entertainment world is a real full-time job. Not only do you have to hone your craft, but you also often have to do it in the glare of social media to build your personal brand or grow your fanbase.
‘Doing that while working a full-time job or studying is not realistic for a lot of developing talent. To have the luxury of focusing on your career without any financial burden really gives you an advantage among your peers.’
While Moses may have a fair net worth backing his endeavour, ultimately, his success will come down to his voice. ‘You sound like your dad’ is probably a compliment here.
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