Miley Cyrus has made a name for herself in the pop world, even though her dad is well-known country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. Then again, Miley has always marched to the beat of her own drummer. Starting out at Disney, this now grown-up diva is slashing her “good girl” image with controversial tunes like the chart-topping “We Can’t Stop.”
Robin Thicke, son of Growing Pains star Alan Thicke, is famous for the No. 1 hit “Blurred Lines." But even before putting its racy lyrics and video out to the world, Thicke was writing songs for some of pop’s biggest names, including Christina Aguilera, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, and Lil Wayne. Says dad Alan: "Someone asked if I was jealous about Robin's success and fame, and I said, 'You don't have kids, do you?' "
Jakob Dylan, son of music legend Bob Dylan, has been making his own music since the 1980s, when he formed the band The Wallflowers. After releasing their second studio album 1996's Bringing Down the Horse, the band scored a massive hit with the song "6th Avenue Heartache." Jakob Dylan has since released two solo albums, one in 2008 and one in 2010, while the Wallflowers re-grouped in 2012 to release Glad All Over.
Julio Iglesias, the best-selling Latin music artist in history, has set the path for his son Enrique Iglesias, who has dominated the club scene with sexy Latin-infused dance anthems. The two are royalty in the Spanish-speaking world and beyond, but fans shouldn’t expect a duet anytime soon. Although Julio supports his son’s career, in an interview with the Huffington Post, he said, “I don’t believe in a public commercial duet between my kids and me."
Growing up the daughter the king of rock 'n' roll, Elvis Presley, means the eyes of the world are on you. Also inspired to make music, singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley has made her own mark with two adult contemporary chart, including 2012's Storm and Grace, and various humanitarian awards. She's currently on tour.
They don't share a last name, but Grammy-winning singer Norah Jones is the daughter of legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar, who not only tutored the Beatles’ George Harrison, but also performed at both the original Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 and Woodstock in 1969. Likewise, Jones carved her own successful path. After performing as a jazz lounge singer, she released her debut, Come Away With Me, in 2002, and took home five Grammys for the album in 2003. Two years later, it was certified diamond for sales of more than 10 million units. Jones worked with Danger Mouse on her most recent release, 2012’s Little Broken Hearts.
Like father, like sons. Ziggy Marley and Damian Marley share reggae king Bob Marley genes and it shows. Ziggy, the elder of the brothers, began his music career in 1979 when he and his siblings collaborated with their father. He continued making music with his band, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers throughout the 1980s and 1990s, followed by solo releases through the 2000s. Damian has released three solo records beginning in 1996, and in 2010, teamed up with rapper Nas for an album and subsequent tour.
Motown Records founder Berry Gordy has long been known as an innovator in the music industry and his son Redfoo is not far behind him. As part of the electropop group LMFAO, Redfoo and nephew SkyBlu have released massive party hits like “Sexy and I Know It,” “Sorry for Party Rocking,” and “I’m in Miami B*tch,” all songs that are uniquely styled for the band. Says Gordy: “I'm delighted. They remember their teachings from Smokey, Stevie and all the other artists and they have gratitude. … They’re making the world a better place.”
Willow Smith and Jaden Smith are the musically-driven offspring of famous parents Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. While dad is best known as an award-winning actor, he too has had a stint in music, releasing nine albums since 1987 when he was partnered with DJ Jazzy Jeff. His children seem equally ambitious. At 13, daughter Willow has already released two songs, including the chart topping single “Whip My Hair,” while Jaden, at 15, was featured on a track with Justin Bieber and has starred in several movies.
Following his father’s footsteps is Diggy Simmons, son of hip-hop innovator, Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons, best known for his stint in the group Run-D.M.C. Diggy, along with his whole family, became the center of the popular TV show, Run’s House, which aired from 2005 to 2009. Since then, the younger Simmons has released four mix tapes, the most recent in 2013, and a solo album that came out in 2012. He is also a member of the hip-hop collective, All City Chess Club.
Anna Rose, the daughter of award-winning composer Alan Menken, isn’t headed in the same musical direction as her father (who's one trophy away from an E.G.O.T.). Her bluesy sound and style, heard best on her 2013 album, Behold a Pale Horse, brings to mind classic rock and roots. Menken, meanwhile, is known for such Disney classics as Aladdin, Pocahontas, Hercules, the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and more.
Married couple and beach-pop duo Brandon and Leah, who appear on the E! show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, both come from pedigreed families. Leah is the daughter of Eagles guitarist and songwriter Don Felder while Brandon is the son of Olympic medalist Bruce Jenner. Together, they make beautiful music — on their own. As Brandon tells THR: “We are very DIY. They are supportive, but Leah and I have always been like ‘We’ve got this, guys.’"
Harper Simon has released two albums, the first of which sounded very much like his legendary father, Paul Simon. "If you hear my voice over an acoustic fingerpicked guitar, then you’re gonna make that association easier than if you hear it over an electric guitar that sounds like Brian Jones is playing it," he told THR. "But it doesn’t really have anything to do with the fact that I love to play acoustic guitar and can fingerpick well in a folkie or country tradition, and also can play a Ramones riff or a [Stooges guitarist] Ron Asheton solo. I love it all and it’s all part of me."