Growing up as a child of a Beatle might clear a few obstacles when stepping into the music industry, but it also brings intense scrutiny and inevitable “nepo baby” whispers.
Now, three children of The Beatles have quieted those criticisms in the most compelling way possible—by teaming up for a fiery new single.
Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr, formed his supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos in 2023, enlisting the talents of Shaun Ryder and Bez from Happy Mondays, along with Andy Bell, known for his work with Ride, Hurricane #1, Oasis, and Beady Eye.
Earlier this year, they dropped the single “Domino Bones (Gets Dangerous)” featuring Noel Gallagher. For their latest track, they’ve called in even bigger names.
On Instagram, Starkey shared a lengthy preview of their new song “Rip-Off,” revealing vocals by Shaun Ryder, James McCartney, and Sean Ono Lennon.
James McCartney, the son of Paul and Linda McCartney, and Sean Ono Lennon, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, have previously worked together on “Primrose Hill.” There have long been rumors about Sean potentially collaborating with Julian Lennon as well.
While “Rip-Off” doesn’t mimic the classic sound their fathers once created together, Zak has leaned into the family legacy, featuring vintage Beatles footage in the song’s visuals to highlight the connection.
Meanwhile, Starkey has recently been in headlines following a turbulent back-and-forth with The Who, where he was dismissed, rehired, and let go again under contentious circumstances. Known for his tenure with Oasis in the 2000s, Zak has clarified he won’t be reuniting with the Gallaghers for their upcoming tour.
Still, the door to The Who isn’t fully shut. In a Rolling Stone interview, Starkey shared that Roger Daltrey told him, “Don’t take your drums out of the warehouse, we might be calling you.”