The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins has doubled down on his criticism of Yungblud. He refuses to apologize for his harsh comments about the younger artist in a recent interview with Kerrang!.
Hawkins addressed the backlash he received for his critique. He defended his right to express negative opinions about emerging artists in the rock scene.
When asked if he was surprised by the reaction to his critique of Yungblud, Hawkins responded with characteristic bluntness.
“It feels like there are sacred cows that you’re not allowed to criticize,” Hawkins said. “If someone is younger or emerging, you’re not supposed to [be critical]. But that’s bullshit.”
The veteran rocker drew from his own experience in the music industry to justify his stance.
“When I was coming up, God knows people tried to kick the shit out of me,” he continued. “You need to have rhino-skin to operate in this world because everything you do is subject to scrutiny. You’re presenting your music to people who will either like or dislike it. In that instance, I disliked it. I make no apologies for that. I think it’s shit.”
Hawkins then took aim at what he sees as Yungblud’s manufactured image and lack of authentic songwriting credentials.
“You come from Disney or musical theatre and expect to be positioned as the future of rock, having already tried to the future of punk, and it just doesn’t wash with me,” he said. “The ultimate problem is that unless you’ve got good songs that you’ve written yourself, I’m not going to take you seriously. Don’t tell me that you’re the future of rock. Write a good fucking song and show me.”
The comments represent an escalation in the ongoing tension between the two artists. Hawkins shows no signs of backing down from his position.
This latest outburst is part of a broader pattern of criticism from The Darkness camp toward Yungblud’s rise in the rock scene.
Blunt Magazine reported that Hawkins has previously targeted Yungblud’s positioning as Ozzy Osbourne’s “heir,” stating “If this is Ozzy’s heir, we’re in trouble.” The feud intensified after Hawkins’ brother Dan called Yungblud’s VMA tribute to Ozzy Osbourne “nauseating” in September.
The conflict has drawn responses from both sides. Yungblud offered his own pointed comeback. In a Billboard interview, the younger artist dismissed his critics, calling them “people that were trying to be doormen at a party that they weren’t invited to.”
Rewind STL noted that Hawkins has expanded his criticism beyond Yungblud himself to include Ozzy Osbourne’s support of the young artist. This broader critique suggests the Darkness frontman sees the endorsement as part of what he views as an artificial elevation of Yungblud’s status in rock music.
The ongoing dispute highlights generational tensions within the rock community. Established artists are questioning the authenticity and credentials of newer performers who have gained prominence through different pathways than traditional rock routes.
