Ozzy Osbourne recently called out Kanye West on Instagram for using his song without permission.
The issue came to light during a listening party in Chicago for the release of ‘Vultures,’ a joint project by Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign. According to the Black Sabbath singer:
“Kanye West asked permission to sample a section of a 1983 live performance of ‘Iron Man’ from the US Festival without vocals & was refused permission because he is an anti-Semite and has caused untold heartache to many. He went ahead and used the sample anyway at his album listening party last night. I want no association with this man!”
The Singer Took Legal Action
Ozzy’s wife also spoke up about the matter. Having a Jewish background, Sharon Osbourne took to social media and other platforms to express her stance on the situation, pointing at a personal level of involvement and concern. She told TMZ:
“Kanye f**ked the wrong Jew this time.”
The music manager mentioned that they have already taken steps against the rapper’s use of the music by sending his team a cease and desist letter. She hinted at possible further action if the situation doesn’t change.
A Personal Matter For The Osbournes
Given Sharon’s Jewish heritage on her father Don Arden’s side, and considering Kanye West’s history of making anti-Semitic comments, this situation hits close to home for the Osbournes. While talking to Billboard, she explained:
“We get so many requests for these songs, and when we saw that request, we just said no way. The simple thing is, we don’t want to be associated with a hater,” Osbourne added. “To spread hate the way he does, it shouldn’t be allowed. All the excuses – he’s bipolar or whatever – doesn’t change that. It’s like, fuck you, basically.”
The Rapper’s Anti-Semitism Controversy
West made the headlines in 2022 by praising Adolf Hitler and threatening to go ‘death con 3’ on Jewish people on different platforms. Though he apologized for his controversial comments at the end of 2023, many brands cut their ties with him.
At a recent album event, West’s lyrics seemed to revisit some of his past comments, which led to the live feed of the event being cut off, as the New York Post reported. While on stage, the rapper sang the lyrics, ‘And I’m still crazy, bipolar, anti-Semite. And I’m still the king.’
