Violet Grohl has addressed ongoing “nepo baby” criticism, saying she’s unbothered by the label as she prepares to release her debut album Be Sweet to Me in May.
The 19-year-old musician, daughter of Dave Grohl, spoke candidly in a new interview with The Forty-Five about the advantages and expectations that come with her surname, while making it clear she’s focused on carving out her own path.
Facing the ‘nepo baby’ conversation head-on
Grohl acknowledged that her background has opened doors, but said she has no interest in denying it or being defensive.
“Obviously, doors are open for me because of my last name. It’s not something I’m ever going to hide behind or say, ‘No, I worked so hard for this! You guys shouldn’t say that! That hurts my feelings’. I don’t care — I really don’t.”
She added that the label has followed her for years and no longer carries any weight.
“I’ve heard that since I was 13 years old. So call me a nepo baby all you want. It’s ‘whatever’ to me. I just hope that eventually people will give me a shot.”
Balancing privilege with perspective
Grohl also spoke openly about the advantages she’s had growing up around music, describing her upbringing as something she doesn’t take for granted.
“I’m beyond grateful for the life that I was born into.”
“It’s such a privilege to be able to be around musicians and in a space that nurtures my interest and allows me to grow and to make a record.”
Calling for more space for women in punk
Alongside discussing her own career, Grohl pointed to wider issues within the music scene, particularly around gender representation in punk and heavier genres.
“It still feels like an exclusive scene.”
“Especially when you wanna listen to really hardcore s*** and run around and mosh, there’s a lot of, ‘Oh, you’re too delicate, you’re too feminine, this isn’t your place’. But I do wanna be in that space and I know there are a lot of other girls who want to be there too.”
She added:
“So I think more girls should make punk music, if these spaces aren’t gonna allow it.”
Debut album set for may
Grohl’s debut album Be Sweet to Me is scheduled for release in May, marking her first full-length project as a solo artist.
