Justin Hawkins has addressed the controversy surrounding his recent criticism of Yungblud’s MTV Video Music Awards tribute performance to Ozzy Osbourne. He shared his response to the backlash in a new video on Justin Hawkins Rides Again.
The Darkness frontman defended his right to express critical opinions about fellow musicians. He explained his perspective on the nature of criticism in the music industry.
“I think what I was saying was it sort of comes off like a TV personality doing rock, you know. So I find it a bit cringe,” Hawkins said. “And the thing about my career is that when I’ve done things that are embarrassing or cringe or however you want to put it, everyone’s been really quick to kick the sh*t out of me. But it’s got to be said, we can’t live in this culture where criticism is not allowed.”
Hawkins emphasized that criticism can be constructive and that artists should be resilient enough to handle it.
“I think Yunblud is going to survive any critique that I [made], you know, he’s resilient enough to survive any critique. He might actually learn from it,” he continued. “I mean, when people were slagging me off, I took it on board and I changed the way I do things. I got myself sober, for example. Been a sober individual for 19 years and now I use my platform to support young and emerging talent.”
The musician questioned why his critical opinion was met with such resistance. He argued that honest feedback should be acceptable in music discourse.
“I’m a human being, okay? I have opinions that you won’t like, and I might express myself in ways that you won’t approve of, but the reality is we’re all entitled to our opinions,” Hawkins stated. “Like, if I’d have come out and said, ‘I thought that Yungblud absolutely nailed it. He is authentic and genuinely the greatest rockstar we have in this moment.’ Everyone would have been like, ‘What? You’re joking, aren’t you?’ And that would have probably divided people in a different way.”
“It’s interesting that I’m not allowed to have this opinion. Don’t you think that’s kind of slightly restrictive? So, yeah, really appreciate all of your comments, good and bad, because music,” he concluded.
The controversy stems from Hawkins’ critique of what many considered a heartfelt tribute performance honoring the late heavy metal legend.
The Independent reported that Yungblud’s tribute performance at the MTV Video Music Awards featured collaborations with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, alongside guitarist Nuno Bettencourt. The performance included a compilation of Ozzy Osbourne’s greatest hits, featuring iconic tracks such as “Crazy Train,” “Changes,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”
The emotional weight of the tribute was particularly significant for Yungblud, who had developed a personal connection with Osbourne before his passing. YouTube footage revealed that Yungblud was still wearing Osbourne’s cross necklace, which had been given to him during the metal legend’s lifetime. The young artist expressed the profound difficulty of losing a hero just as they were beginning to connect on a personal level.
The performance itself was captured and widely shared. Official footage showed the collaborative effort between the veteran rock musicians and the younger artist. The tribute was intended to celebrate Osbourne’s lasting impact on rock and metal music, spanning generations of performers.
This context adds depth to the controversy surrounding Hawkins’ criticism. It highlights the personal and emotional significance the performance held for Yungblud, contrasting with Hawkins’ more critical assessment of the artistic execution.
