T-Pain says he’s “heartbroken” over Ozzy Osbourne’s passing, re‑shares his praised “War Pigs” cover and thanks the rock icon for the recognition.
T-Pain is mourning the loss of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne after the Prince of Darkness died on July 22 at the age of 76.
In an emotional Instagram post, the “Buy U a Drank” singer shared his live 2023 cover of Black Sabbath’s classic “War Pigs” — a rendition that Ozzy himself once lauded as “the best cover of ‘War Pigs’ ever.”
“Heartbroken by the news,” T‑Pain wrote alongside the clip, adding, “I was blessed to be able to cover ‘War Pigs’ and get your recognition. Ozzy forever.” The tribute highlights a unique cross‑genre moment: a chart‑topping R&B artist paying homage to a foundational heavy metal anthem, and receiving personal praise from its original frontman.
Heartbroken by the news. I was blessed to be able to cover War Pigs and get your recognition. Ozzy Forever 🤘🏿 pic.twitter.com/9Grn5RzZ6W
— T-Pain (@TPAIN) July 22, 2025
T‑Pain’s connection to “War Pigs” began in part thanks to actor and musician Jack Black of Tenacious D, who performed the song on a late‑night talk show.
In a 2023 interview with Stereogum, T‑Pain credited Black’s playful take for inspiring him to tackle the dark, politically charged lyrics himself. “Anytime Jack Black comes up in conversation, I always go to that clip and just show people that he did ‘War Pigs,’” T‑Pain said.
That admiration eventually led to his live cover at the Sun Rose festival, where Osbourne’s glowing response cemented a memorable moment of mutual respect between two very different artists.
Osbourne’s passing comes just weeks after Black Sabbath’s final concert, closing the curtain on a storied career that spanned more than five decades. His family released a statement on July 22: “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
As tributes pour in from fans and fellow musicians, T‑Pain’s tribute serves as a poignant reminder of Ozzy’s far‑reaching influence.
From redefining heavy metal with Black Sabbath to celebrating unexpected covers of his work, Ozzy’s legacy touched artists across genres — and continues to resonate through heartfelt homages like T‑Pain’s.
