Sons of Beatles Icons Collaborate on New Single 'Rip Off'

In a significant musical collaboration, Sean Ono Lennon, James McCartney, and Zak Starkey, the sons of legendary Beatles members, have united to create a new single titled "Rip Off." This marks the first instance in which all three have collaborated on original music together. The track will be released under the newly formed supergroup, Mantra of the Cosmos, which includes Starkey alongside Shaun Ryder and Bez from Happy Mondays and Andy Bell from Ride. Zak Starkey, the drummer and son of Ringo Starr, announced the collaboration through his Instagram account on June 16, 2025.

This new project follows a recent resurgence of Beatles-related music, including the 2023 Grammy-winning release "Now and Then," which utilized artificial intelligence to bring together the voices of the original band members. Starkey, however, clarified to The Telegraph that this collaboration is not meant to be viewed as a mini-reunion of The Beatles, stating, "No, it’s not. It’s like Mantra of the Cosmos with them in it. It’s Sean of the Cosmos and James of the Cosmos; it’s still my band."

Sean Ono Lennon, born in 1975, is the only child of John Lennon and Yoko Ono and has a diverse music career that includes collaborations with artists such as Lana Del Rey and The Lemon Twigs. James McCartney, born in 1977 to Paul and Linda McCartney, has also pursued a solo career and collaborated with Sean in 2024 on a project titled "Primrose Hill."

Starkey's recent musical endeavors have also included a collaboration with Noel Gallagher on the single "Domino Bones," which drew inspiration from notable cultural figures like Bob Dylan and Salvador Dali. Starkey, who previously served as the drummer for The Who, has faced challenges in his career, including being dismissed from the band in relation to a performance issue in March 2025.

The collaboration of these three artists is significant, as it represents a union of the next generation of musicians who are carrying on the legacies of their famous fathers. This single, "Rip Off," is poised to intrigue fans of The Beatles and contemporary music alike, exploring themes that resonate with the shared experiences and artistic aspirations of these artists.

As the music industry continues to evolve, collaborations such as this highlight the enduring influence of The Beatles' legacy and the creativity of their descendants. The release of "Rip Off" is anticipated to contribute to ongoing discussions about the relevance of legacy artists in today’s music landscape, as well as the potential for new waves of creativity stemming from their familial connections.

In conclusion, as Sean Ono Lennon, James McCartney, and Zak Starkey prepare to release their single, the music world watches closely, eager to see how the legacies of their fathers will influence their work and how this collaboration will be received by both fans and critics alike.