Justin Hawkins supports his brother’s critique of Yungblud’s VMAs tribute to Ozzy Osbourne
Justin Hawkins, the frontman of The Darkness, has recently spoken out regarding his brother Dan’s critique of Yungblud’s performance at the VMA Awards tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. Dan Hawkins had initially shared a video clip of Ariana Grande’s reaction to Yungblud, Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry’s medley of Ozzy songs, captioning it as “cynical, nauseating, and, more importantly, shit.” This post sparked a lively discussion on social media. Justin Hawkins has now joined in, reinforcing his brother’s sentiments in a new video.
When asked about the VMA performance, Justin revealed that he and his peers found it “triggering in different ways.” He explained that Dan, upon watching the performance, was so triggered that he humorously labeled the participants as “bellends,” poking fun at them but reflecting his triggered state. Justin went on to criticize Yungblud’s actions on the red carpet and during his performance. He expressed disdain for Yungblud’s attempt to position himself as an heir to Ozzy’s legacy, considering the stark differences in their contributions to the music scene over the years.
In his video, Hawkins called out Yungblud for adopting rock cliches, likening his posturing to a blend of Jim Morrison, the Stone Temple Pilots lead singer, and others who have sported leather trousers. He referred to Yungblud’s headbanging onstage as resembling something a male stripper would do, lacking an authentic feel. Justin highlighted the performative aspects of rock and roll displayed by Yungblud, suggesting that it comes across as a filtered version of the genre, like viewing rock through an Instagram lens.
Despite critiquing Yungblud’s performance, Justin Hawkins faced criticism of his own back in the day for similar behavior. The Darkness, Justin’s band, was often accused of embodying cliched rock personas and posing inauthentically. This irony is not lost on him, but he stands by his assessment of Yungblud’s presentation at the VMAs.
In essence, Justin Hawkins’ commentary on Yungblud’s VMA appearance reflects a clash of generational perspectives within the music industry. The contrast between established rock icons like Ozzy Osbourne and newer artists like Yungblud raises questions about authenticity, legacy, and the evolution of rock and roll over time. Justin’s remarks underscore the complexity of navigating the expectations and perceptions associated with the genre, shedding light on the ongoing dialogue surrounding rock music’s past, present, and future.