T-Pain honored the late Ozzy Osbourne on Tuesday, July 22, sharing a heartfelt tribute following news of the rock legend’s death. The rapper and singer, known for his genre-blending sound and Auto-Tuned vocals, reflected on a moment of personal recognition he once received from the Black Sabbath frontman.
Their musical connection began in 2023, when T-Pain released a cover of Black Sabbath’s 1970 classic “War Pigs” on his On Top of the Covers album. The unexpected rendition, which showcased his unfiltered vocal talent, drew praise across genres—including from Osbourne himself. After seeing a live performance of the song in January 2023, Osbourne reposted the clip on social media, calling it the “best cover of ‘War Pigs’ ever.”
In the wake of Osbourne’s death, T-Pain returned to social media to reshare the performance and acknowledge the loss. “Heartbroken by the news,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I was blessed to be able to cover ‘War Pigs’ and get your recognition. Ozzy Forever.”
T-Pain had previously shared that his decision to cover the track stemmed from a clip of actor and Tenacious D frontman Jack Black performing the song during a talk show appearance. The moment sparked a deeper appreciation for the track. “Anytime Jack Black comes up, I show people that clip,” T-Pain told Stereogum. “I grew a liking to the song from that.”
Osbourne’s response, and T-Pain’s reverence for it, underscored the rock icon’s wide-reaching influence beyond heavy metal. As tributes poured in from Elton John, Pearl Jam, and Ice-T, T-Pain’s stood out as both a musical homage and a personal full-circle moment.
Osbourne, known as the Prince of Darkness, leaves behind a legacy that spans generations and genres. His ability to resonate with artists across the musical spectrum remains one of his defining achievements.
For T-Pain, covering “War Pigs” was more than an artistic experiment—it became a connection across time, style, and legacy. His tribute added another voice to a global chorus mourning a singular figure in music history.
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