The Darkness‘ Justin Hawkins has responded to backlash over his comments about Yungblud, saying: “We can’t live in this culture where criticism is not allowed”.
The comments about the British singer, real name Dominic Harrison, arose following him teaming up with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, and Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt to honour the late Ozzy Osbourne at the 2025 VMAs.
It took place in Long Island, New York on September 7, and while it seemed to leave Ariana Grande stunned, it pulled a less optimistic response from Justin Hawkins’ brother and bandmate Dan.
“Another nail in the coffin of rock n roll,” he wrote. “Cynical, nauseating and more importantly; shit.”
Later, Justin would chime in on his brother’s comments, saying: “I feel like what irks musicians of a certain age is the fact that Yungblud seems to have positioned himself as a natural heir to the Ozzy legacy, having nothing to do with the really important stuff.”
“All of this posturing is Jim Morrison meets the bloke from Stone Temple Pilots meets everybody else who’s ever owned a pair of leather trousers,” he continued. “It’s 101 School of Rock stuff, you know? It’s the latest in a long line of – I’m sorry to say it – poseurs… For seven minutes, the world is looking at rock and this is what we’ve given them.”
Now, after his comments divided fans, the singer has taken to his YouTube channel, Justin Hawkins Rides Again, to explain his stance and tell viewers that he is entitled to have his own opinion.
He began by reading out a comment from a frustrated viewer that said: “So let me understand this. Ozzy takes a liking to Yungblud. Yungblud participates in tributes to Ozzy and is running with attention. Now everybody wants to shit on him for it? This world is so fucked, people love nothing more than hating. I like this kid’s spirit and see no reason to criticise the shit out of him for it.”
Responding, he clarified that his comments had nothing against Harrison as a person, nor his drive. “I don’t think I criticised Yungblud’s spirit. I admire that as much as the next person. What I was saying was that it comes off like a TV personality doing rock.”
“I find it a bit cringe, and the thing about my career is that I’ve done things that are embarrassing or cringe… [and] everyone’s been really quick to kick the shit out of me,” he added. “Its got to be said. We can’t live in this culture where criticism is not allowed. When I’ve done embarrassing things, people have called me out, and I appreciate that kind of guidance and criticism. That’s how you become a better artist.”
Replying to other comments that labelled him as “real petty, bitter, and jealous”, and claiming that Yungblud wouldn’t feel the need to “bring people down to feel good about himself”, Hawkins added: “I don’t need to do it either, actually. That’s not how criticism works, and the thing about opinions is, I’m allowed mine as well.”
“Someone like Yungblud should be resilient enough to cope with a little bit of critique because he’s got a huge following and his last few albums have done really, really well,” the singer added, reiterating how he frequently supports new talent on his channel.
“He doesn’t need me to support him… although I have said positive things about his earlier releases because I think, culturally, he could be quite an important individual. I just don’t think he’s written any good songs yet — and that’s my opinion.”
The performance at the VMAs in tribute to Ozzy Osbourne came following Yungblud teaming up with members of Extreme, Sleep Token and more to perform a moving rendition of ‘Changes’ at the ‘Back To The Beginning’ Black Sabbath farewell show, which was held just weeks before the Prince Of Darkness’ death in July.
Before he took to the stage in Birmingham, touching footage of Yungblud gifting Osbourne a necklace went viral and, after Osbourne’s death, Yungblud vowed to play ‘Changes’ at every show “for the rest of my life”.
Shortly after that, Yungblud spoke to NME about the impact that Ozzy had on him since childhood. “Ozzy was a character in my life who was a reflection of everything I went through,” he said. “I was always a bit over the top. I was always seen to be a bit crazy. I was always seen to be a bit loud, but when some people saw that as a negative, Ozzy would provide me with the hope that there was an avenue for someone like me in the world.”
“From such a young age, he really inspired me. Then, to know him as a friend towards the end, to know his heart, and to know Sharon Osbourne… I really started to understand that they did things their way,” he continued. “It’s always been inspirational.”
Since the performance with Aerosmith at the VMAs, the two of them have announced a new single, ‘My Only Angel’, which arrives on Friday (September 19) and will be a part of a collaborative EP called ‘One More Time’.
As for Justin Hawkins, The Darkness are currently on tour across the US and Canada, and shared their eighth studio album ‘Dreams On Toast’ this spring.
Earlier this summer, the singer announced he will be embarking on a one-man tour for his podcast, which will take place in the UK next year. Get your tickets to the ‘Justin Hawkins Rides Again… Again!’ tour here.
