Although Yungblud has been busy shaking things up in rock ’n’ roll—sparking a very public back-and-forth with The Darkness’ Hawkins brothers—he argues that the genre’s artists themselves need to step up if rock is going to remain relevant, adding that keeping rock alive requires greater unity and collaboration within the scene.
While speaking with “Zoom” earlier in January, he said (as transcribed by Ultimate Guitar):
“I feel, what’s really cool about rock music right now is [that] generationally, we’re all vibing with each other for the first time in a long time. I grew up in a guitar shop. My father had a guitar shop with my grandfather. So, I grew up with rock music in my blood, and it’s in my DNA. And I feel like rock became irrelevant for a while, because there was no unity within it.”
He continued: “Rock music always has had this crazy idea that it’s going to be one person that’s going to save it. But every time rock music has been huge to the world, it’s always been because of 10 artists together. Look at punk, grunge, rock ‘n’ roll, blues, metal. Every time rock music has thrived, it’s been because of 20 artists at once, not one person.”
Yungblud echoed that sentiment earlier while speaking with Loudwire, claiming that a large number of modern rock artists are hesitant to lean too heavily into the genre’s foundations.
He said: “We became so insecure about sounding like our forefathers, and so reprimanded for it. Rock lost its voice. Rock lost its innate spirit. It lost its innate freedom, and that’s why I genuinely believe it hasn’t been poignant until the last two years.”
“Because, again, generationally, we’re coming together. Because if we’re not, if we’re not at f**king dinner together, our genre is going to die, and we all need to support each other. We all need to talk together. We all need to f**king feature on each other’s s**t.”
Yungblud has also secured the 2026 Grammy Award for “Best Rock Performance,” earning the golden gramophone for his live cover of the Black Sabbath ballad “Changes.”
The winning track was recorded last July at Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom, during Ozzy Osbourne‘s final farewell event, dubbed “Back To The Beginning.” Originally released on Sabbath‘s 1972 album Vol. 4, the song took on new weight as a tribute to the “Prince of Darkness.”
For the performance, Yungblud was supported by a formidable supergroup. The backing band featured Anthrax bassist Frank Bello, Extreme virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt, drummer II of Sleep Token, and keyboardist Adam Wakeman, a longtime collaborator with both Osbourne and Black Sabbath.
The nomination itself drew public support from the Osbourne camp. Following the initial announcement, Sharon Osbourne took to social media to congratulate the young artist on carrying the torch.
“I’m so proud of you. It’s just amazing and I know Ozzy is smiling down at you. Love you always, Sharon,” she wrote.
Yungblud expressed his own disbelief and gratitude online, acknowledging the nomination with a brief statement: “They’ve nominated ‘Changes‘ at Villa Park for ‘Best Rock Performance’ at the Grammys.”
He then directed a more personal message toward Sharon and the memory of Ozzy, thanking them for allowing him to be part of the historic Birmingham send-off.
“Thank you to you and your family for giving me the opportunity you did and your stage to show the world what I could do,” Yungblud stated. “Thank you for teaching us all how to dream and never compromise. From one madman from England to another, I love you, Oz, and I hope one day I can show you how much.”
