Darkness guitarist Justin Hawkins joins his brother Dan to discuss male stripper behavior.
Guitarists Justin and Dan Hawkins have recently stirred up controversy by calling out Yungblud’s involvement in the Ozzy Osbourne tribute at the MTV VMAs. Dan Hawkins labeled the tribute as “cynical” and “nauseating,” sentiments that were echoed by his brother Justin in a video. Yungblud, alongside other musicians like Nuno Bettencourt, Joe Perry, Steven Tyler, and Adam Wakeman, performed a medley in honor of Ozzy Osbourne, but the Hawkins brothers were unimpressed.
In response to Dan’s Instagram post criticizing the tribute, Justin came to his brother’s defense in a video where he referred to Yungblud as a “poser.” Justin highlighted the disconnect between Yungblud’s style and the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne, questioning the young singer’s attempt to position himself as the heir to the Prince of Darkness. He criticized Yungblud for adopting a persona that seemed more concerned with fame and attention-seeking than with honoring Osbourne’s legacy.
The conflict between the Hawkins brothers and Yungblud stems from the latter’s performance of the Black Sabbath ballad “Changes” at Back to the Beginning. Yungblud’s rendition garnered praise from Ozzy Osbourne himself, who noted the similarities between the young singer and his own younger self. While this boost in Yungblud’s career coincided with the release of his fourth album, “Idols”, the Hawkins brothers were unimpressed by what they perceived as self-serving behavior and posturing.
Justin went on to further criticize Yungblud’s behavior, likening his theatricality to that of Jim Morrison and Scott Weiland. He pointed out that the young singer’s attempts at projecting a rockstar image came across as clichéd and insincere. Justin’s frustration with Yungblud’s perceived lack of authenticity in paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne stemmed from his belief that the singer was exploiting Osbourne’s legacy for personal gain rather than genuinely connecting with the music and its history.
While the response to the Hawkins brothers’ comments has been mixed, with some supporting their views and others criticizing their harsh language, Justin remains steadfast in his defense of his brother’s opinions. The clash of generations and styles in the music industry often leads to tensions, as established artists like the Darkness find themselves at odds with newer acts like Yungblud who approach music and performance in a different manner.
Ultimately, the debate surrounding Yungblud’s involvement in the Ozzy Osbourne tribute reflects broader discussions within the music industry about authenticity, respect for musical legacies, and the balance between innovation and tradition. As the music landscape continues to evolve, clashes of perspectives and values between different generations of artists are likely to persist, with each side asserting their own definitions of what it means to be a true musician and a worthy successor to rock legends like Ozzy Osbourne.