What are Rapo babies? Famous children get a new nickname

Nepo babies have been all over the news for the past few years, but there’s a new kind of baby in town: baby. According to a recent article from Dazed where the term was coined, we may have subtly entered the era of the rapo baby—that is, the child of a famous rapper who also raps. (Rap + Nepo = Rapo, apparently.)

While hip-hop as a whole is experiencing a decline and K-pop, Latin and country remain dominant, the future of the genre may be in the hands of Young Thug, Childish Gambino, Kanye, Drake and Westside Gunn, all of whom have recently released music.

Who are the “Rapo Babies”?

For example, a collaboration was unveiled at the Bando Stone Listening Party on July 8. In the song in question, “Chaka Khan,” Legend, the son of Childish Gambino and Donald Glover, rapped, “My mama knew she was feeding the goat.”

Other recent Kidz Bop IRL rap songs include North West’s appearance on “Talking” by Kanye and Ty Dolla Sign.

And then there’s Drake’s son Adonis, who appears on “My Man Freestyle.”

Even Westside Gunn’s daughter WAS Pootie was featured on his song “Nigo Louis.”

Rap celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, and this new surge in talent may be just the kick in the butt it needs as it hits middle age. As a recent Billboard article put it, “Rap superstars are entering a different chapter of their careers as they age, and are less concerned with chasing hits.” I guess that means it’s up to the kids.

What about the “Rapo babies” of the past?

In the author’s opinion, this trend seems to owe its true pioneers, namely Blue Ivy and Willow Smith.

Will the hip-hop genre as we know it be revitalized in the long run by these talented offspring? It seems likely, although it will take more for hip-hop as a whole to regain its dominance in the music landscape. Hey, does Vanilla Ice have a kid?

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