Sharon Osbourne has discussed with Billboard magazine the decision to deny Kanye West permission to sample an Ozzy Osbourne song during a listening event for the rapper’s new album in Chicago on Thursday.
At the United Center, West, now known as Ye, along with Ty Dolla $ign, hosted the listening party ahead of the release of the Vultures LP. During the event, they played a track that incorporated a sample from Ozzy‘s live rendition of “Iron Man” from the BLACK SABBATH singer’s solo performance at the US Festival in 1983.
Initially, Ozzy mentioned in a social media post that West sought to sample “War Pigs”, but it turns out the track Kanye used is “Iron Man”.
Sharon said: “We get so many requests for these songs, and when we saw that request, we just said no way.
“The simple thing is, we don’t want to be associated with a hater. To spread hate the way he does, it shouldn’t be allowed. All the excuses — he’s bipolar or whatever — doesn’t change that. It’s like, f**k you, basically.”
Sharon further explained that due to the attribution of “Iron Man” to the entire original BLACK SABBATH ensemble — including Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward — the consent of all four songwriters would be necessary before West could utilize the sample.
Interestingly, Ozzy and Sharon coincidentally dressed as Kanye West and Bianca Censori for Halloween, but according to Sharon, it was simply a “joke.”
