Xavier Trudeau Addresses Music Career and ‘Nepo Baby’ Label
Xavier Trudeau, known by his stage name ‘Xav,’ has spoken out in defense of his burgeoning music career, asserting his ability to succeed independently of his prominent father, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The 18-year-old, who has diverged from a family legacy in Canadian politics to pursue R&B music, has faced considerable scrutiny and criticism.
Backlash Over Festival Performance
A significant portion of the criticism stemmed from Xav’s recent headline performance at Ottawa’s Shawarma Festival. The event, which celebrates Middle Eastern cuisine and culture, drew a barrage of negative comments online following the announcement of his participation. Online reactions included sentiments like, “His agent must be having a heck of a time getting gigs. Everyone hates him because of his Dad, and he can’t sing. Great combo,” and questions such as, “How much did Trudeau pay for this appearance?” Other comments expressed skepticism about his talent, stating, “Who cares! But obviously he needs as much publicity as possible because he’s not that great of a singer.”
Responding to Critics
In a recent interview with Vulture, Xav addressed the public’s perception of his music and his familial connection. He urged listeners to separate his artistic endeavors from his father’s political standing. “If they don’t like my dad, right away, they don’t like me. If you don’t like me because you don’t like my music, and you think it’s the worst thing in the world? Okay, fine. I’ll live with that. But when you don’t even give it a shot? I can’t respect that,” he stated.
Debut Single Release Coincidence
Xav’s first single, ‘Til the Nights Done,’ was released shortly after his father’s resignation as Prime Minister. The young artist clarified that the timing was coincidental, explaining to Vulture that the song had been submitted to Spotify for release prior to his father’s announcement. He maintained that the decision to release the music was not calculated to coincide with political events.
Acknowledging Parental Influence
Unlike some who distance themselves from their famous parents, Xav has openly acknowledged his father’s identity, even sharing a video of Prime Minister Trudeau reacting to his music. He sees his background as having both advantages and disadvantages. “It has its benefits, and it has its negatives, like anything has. You could be the son of a lawyer and have challenges that you’d have to go through,” Xav commented. “Obviously, mine’s a little bit more specific, but I definitely think it’s a benefit.”
Musical Influences and Lyrical Content
Xav cited artists such as Don Toliver, Drake, and Travis Scott as his musical inspirations. His songwriting often explores themes of relationships and marijuana use. He noted that lyrical content involving marijuana, despite its underage illegality, actually contributed to the song’s popularity, stating, “There was! And that’s what got me hundreds of thousands of streams on the song.”
Seeking Independence
The artist revealed that a significant motivation behind his music career was to forge his own identity separate from his father’s public image. “I wanted to be my own man. I was tired of being ‘Trudeau’s kid.’ So I started being like, ‘Okay, it’s your time. Start something,’” he told the publication.
Support from Katy Perry
Prime Minister Trudeau’s partner, pop star Katy Perry, has also offered support for Xav’s musical pursuits. He described her as being “super supportive” of his work. While not identifying as a “very political person” himself, Xav expressed openness to using his music to convey his views in the future.
Career Overview and Audience Reception
Xav has released an EP and five singles, accumulating approximately 6,290 monthly listeners on Spotify. His most streamed song, ‘Til the Nights Done,’ has garnered over 153,000 streams. The reception to his Shawarma Fest performance was mixed, with some viewers criticizing his vocal performance and reliance on autotune. However, others offered encouragement, with one comment reading, “Let the kid sing and try to branch out on his own for crying out loud. He doesn’t want to follow politics like his old man. Think about your 17-year-old kids and the ideas they have. Smile. Support. Move on.”
Despite the varied public reactions, Xav appeared unfazed by the festival backlash. He was recently observed in Miami, Florida, enjoying a bike ride with his girlfriend, TikTok influencer Pariya Carello.
