Sharon Osbourne, the wife of iconic heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, recently took to Twitter to express her disdain for American rapper Kanye West, labeling him an “anti-semitic fool.” The tweet was prompted by allegations that West used a sample of a song performed by Ozzy Osbourne without permission.
The controversy began when Ozzy Osbourne himself called out Kanye West on social media, stating that West had requested to sample one of his songs but was refused permission due to West’s alleged antisemitic behavior. Despite the denial, West went ahead and used the sample anyway, according to the Osbourne family.
In her tweet, Sharon Osbourne denounced Kanye West’s actions, stating that the Osbourne family has never desired any association with him. She accused West of being “anti-semitic” and condemned his rhetoric, asserting that he had crossed a line by using the song sample without permission.
This incident has highlighted the strained relationship between the Osbourne family and Kanye West. Ozzy Osbourne himself expressed his desire to have no association with West, indicating the seriousness of the matter. The Osbournes’ stance underscores their commitment to standing against antisemitism and refusing to support individuals who engage in such behavior.
According to reports, Kanye West had requested permission to sample a song performed by Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band at the 1983 US Festival. However, the request was denied, and West proceeded to use the sample anyway, sparking outrage from the Osbourne family. The song in question is believed to be “Iron Man,” a classic track written by Black Sabbath, Osbourne’s former band.
While Ozzy Osbourne has been known to allow other artists to sample his work, the decision to refuse West’s request was based on his alleged history of antisemitic remarks. Sharon Osbourne, who was raised Jewish, emphasized that they did not want to be associated with someone who espouses hate speech.
This isn’t the first time Kanye West has faced backlash for his controversial statements. Starting in 2022, West made a series of antisemitic comments that led to widespread condemnation and repercussions, including the loss of sponsorship and fashion deals. Although he issued an online apology for his remarks in December, the controversy resurfaced with the release of a new song containing questionable lyrics.
The tension between the Osbourne family and Kanye West dates back to Halloween 2023 when Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne dressed up as West and his wife Bianca Censori as a joke. However, the recent sampling dispute has escalated the animosity between the two parties, with Sharon Osbourne publicly denouncing West’s actions.
In response to the allegations, Kanye West has not yet issued a statement addressing the controversy. However, the incident has reignited discussions about the ethical implications of sampling music without permission and the responsibility of artists to respect the intellectual property rights of others.
As the situation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and standing up against hate speech and bigotry in all its forms. The Osbourne family’s firm stance against antisemitism sends a powerful message about the values they uphold and their commitment to fighting discrimination in the music industry and beyond.
