Violet Grohl on the ‘Nepo Baby’ Label: ‘Call Me One All You Want’

Embracing the Conversation

Violet Grohl, the 19-year-old singer-songwriter and daughter of Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, is no stranger to the public discourse surrounding her lineage. In a recent interview with The Forty-Five, the rising artist addressed the “nepo baby” label that has followed her since she began her musical journey, maintaining a pragmatic and unbothered perspective.

“Obviously, doors are open for me because of my last name,” Grohl acknowledged. “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.'”

A Focus on the Music

Rather than engaging in defensive rhetoric, Grohl has chosen to prioritize her artistic output. Having heard the criticism since she was 13 years old, she has developed a thick skin. “I don’t care, I really don’t,” she stated. “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.”

Grohl is currently preparing for the release of her debut album, Be Sweet to Me, scheduled for release on May 29. The project, which was recorded between 2024 and 2025, draws significant inspiration from the alternative rock landscape of the late 1980s and early 1990s. She cites influential acts such as the Pixies, Soundgarden, Cocteau Twins, and the Breeders as key touchstones for her sound.

Authenticity and Performance

Reflecting on her creative process, Grohl noted that she sought to channel the raw, authentic energy of the music she grew up listening to. “There’s something so powerful about that period of music, from the messaging to the visuals, it’s authentic and raw,” she said in a statement announcing the album.

As she gears up for a busy summer of touring, including appearances at Belgium’s Pukkelpop and the Reading and Leeds festivals in the U.K., Grohl is inviting her critics to experience her work firsthand. “Come see me live,” she challenged. “Come listen to my music and then you can decide for yourself if I’m worthy of this career or not.”

With her debut album on the horizon and a series of high-profile festival dates confirmed, including a stop at Atlanta’s Shaky Knees festival in September, Grohl is clearly focused on letting her music define her trajectory.