Does Music Have a Nepo Baby Problem?

<p>Stella Lefty is having a moment. But what happens when the people making music don’t all start from the same place?</p><p>Stella Lefty’s rise to fame with <em>Boston</em> has become a lightning rod for arguments about nepotism, authenticity and the modern music industry. Her billionaire father has made her an obvious target for the “nepo baby” label, while controversy surrounding <em>Boston</em> and its similarity to Noah Kahan’s <em>Stick Season</em> has only added fuel to the conversation.</p><p>But the real question is bigger than Stella.</p><p>What does it actually mean to earn success when we don’t all begin with the same opportunities?</p><p>In this episode of The Last Mixed Tape, we look at the class ceiling in music, the inherited advantages that come with wealth, and why “starting from zero” is often a myth. We also look at the gendered suspicion surrounding accusations of “nepo baby” and “industry plant”, and why successful young women can find themselves treated as fraudulent simply for becoming successful.</p><p>Music has a nepo baby problem. But it’s because society has a class problem.</p><p><br></p>