In a clash of musical titans, Ozzy Osbourne has taken to social media to express his displeasure with Kanye West after the rapper sampled Osbourne’s iconic performance at the US Festival without permission.
The drama unfolded on Thursday night during Kanye’s album listening party in Chicago, where he unveiled his new album “Vultures.” The spotlight quickly turned from the album to a brewing controversy as Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary rocker, publicly criticized Kanye for unauthorized sampling.
In an all-caps Twitter post, Ozzy Osbourne vehemently called out Kanye’s actions, shedding light on the rapper’s previous attempt to seek permission for sampling a section of Osbourne’s 1983 live performance of “Iron Man” at the US Festival. Ozzy stated, “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.”
Despite being denied permission, Kanye went ahead and used the sample at his album listening party. Ozzy made it clear that he wanted no association with Kanye West, delivering a strong message about his disapproval.
Ozzy’s wife, Sharon Osbourne, a prominent figure in the music industry, particularly in her role as a co-host on “The Talk,” further fueled the controversy. She did not mince her words when she told TMZ, “Kanye f–ked with the wrong Jew this time.” Sharon revealed that Ozzy had sent Kanye a cease and desist letter after the rapper disregarded the initial denial to sample Osbourne’s performance of “Iron Man.”
Sharon emphasized that Ozzy rarely turns down requests from other artists to use his music, but in Kanye’s case, there was a “special f—king occasion to say no.” She accused Kanye of being a “disrespectful anti-Semite” and asserted that he “represents hate.” This strong condemnation from the Osbourne family underscores the severity of the situation.
The controversy extends beyond the Osbournes, with a Grammy-winning singer and producer also publicly calling out Kanye for his actions. The music industry, known for its collaborative spirit, is no stranger to disputes over copyright and intellectual property, but this clash has added a layer of social and personal criticism, making it a noteworthy event in the music world.
As the news ripples through the industry, it remains to be seen how Kanye West will respond to the backlash from Ozzy Osbourne and others. The unauthorized sampling has not only ignited a legal battle but has also fueled a public discourse about respect, permission, and the responsibility that comes with using someone else’s creative work in the realm of music.
