Justin Hawkins has doubled down on his criticism of Yungblud, offering additional remarks about the younger artist’s perceived ties to Ozzy Osbourne during a recent interview with Classic Rock.
Expanding on comments he previously made about Yungblud’s appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards, Hawkins raised fresh concerns about the musician’s creative direction and use of modern production techniques. “We said [called it a] ‘bit shit’ [because of the] auto-tune that was being run in real time. If the future of rock comes from musical theatre and Disney, if this is Ozzy’s heir, we’re in trouble,” Hawkins explained.
The statement echoes a wider unease among some rock musicians regarding where the genre may be headed, particularly as contemporary production methods play an increasingly prominent role in shaping modern rock performances.
Hawkins’ remarks also reinforced earlier criticism voiced by his brother, Dan Hawkins, regarding Yungblud’s Ozzy Osbourne tribute at the MTV Video Music Awards, as previously reported by Ultimate Guitar. Both brothers pointed to the noticeable use of real-time auto-tune during the performance, arguing that it detracted from the song’s authenticity. They characterized the moment as part of a larger shift in which pop sensibilities and entertainment-driven production are exerting greater influence over the future of rock music.
As outlined in Ultimate Guitar, Hawkins suggested that reliance on auto-tune as a central element of a rock performance signals a troubling direction for the genre. From his perspective, the issue raises questions about artistic integrity and whether modern rock is moving away from the raw qualities that once defined it.
The comments have fueled ongoing debate within music circles about how rock should evolve in the current era. While some defend the incorporation of pop-oriented production and theatrical elements as a natural progression, others align with Hawkins’ view that excessive digital enhancement risks eroding rock’s foundational identity.
