The heavy metal world was shaken by the sudden passing of Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary “Prince of Darkness,” on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76. Just weeks after a triumphant farewell concert with Black Sabbath in his hometown of Birmingham, England, Osbourne’s death from complications related to Parkinson’s disease left fans, family, and fellow musicians in mourning. Among the most poignant moments of his funeral was a surprise performance by rap icon Eminem, whose emotional tribute, dedicated with the words “This one’s for Ozzy, RIP OZZY,” brought the crowd to tears. This article, drawing on recent reports and social media reactions, explores Eminem’s heartfelt performance, the context of Osbourne’s final days, and the enduring legacy of a rock legend whose influence transcended genres.

Eminem’s Tearful Tribute at Osbourne’s Funeral

Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral, held on July 29, 2025, in Birmingham, was a private affair for family and close friends, followed by a public memorial at Villa Park, where 42,000 fans gathered to honor the Black Sabbath frontman. The memorial, organized by Osbourne’s wife, Sharon, featured tributes from rock legends like Metallica, Ronnie Wood, and Alice Cooper. However, it was Eminem’s unexpected appearance that stole the show, as reported by outlets like The Guardian and TMZ.

Eminem, born Marshall Mathers, took the stage unannounced, dressed in a black hoodie emblazoned with the Black Sabbath logo. “This one’s for Ozzy, RIP OZZY,” he declared, his voice breaking, before launching into a medley that blended his 2002 hit “Lose Yourself” with a reimagined cover of Black Sabbath’s “Crazy Train.” The performance, backed by a live band featuring Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, was a raw, emotional fusion of rap and heavy metal, reflecting Osbourne’s genre-defying influence. Eminem altered lyrics to honor Osbourne, rapping, “You only get one shot, Ozzy took it, made us all believe / Prince of Darkness, forever in our hearts, you’ll never leave.”

The crowd, already emotional, was moved to tears as Eminem shared personal anecdotes between verses. He recounted meeting Osbourne at the 2001 MTV Music Awards, where Osbourne’s humor and warmth left a lasting impression. “Ozzy was the realest, man,” Eminem said, per a TMZ report. “He didn’t just make music; he made misfits like me feel like we belonged.” X posts from fans like @MetalHead420 and @RapGodFan captured the moment, with videos of the performance amassing millions of views. One user wrote, “Eminem’s tribute to Ozzy had me sobbing. Two legends, one stage, pure heart.”

Osbourne’s Final Days and Farewell Concert

Osbourne’s death came just 17 days after his final performance on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park, where he reunited with Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for the first time since 2005. The “Back to the Beginning” concert, attended by 42,000 fans, featured guest performances from Metallica and Guns N’ Roses. Osbourne, performing from a throne due to mobility issues from Parkinson’s disease and a 2019 fall, told the crowd, “You’ve no idea how I feel—thank you from the bottom of my heart,” as reported by Sky News.

His health had been a concern for years. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019, Osbourne described it as “terribly challenging” in a 2020 Good Morning America interview. A cervical spine injury from a 2019 fall required multiple surgeries, and he retired from touring in 2023, stating he didn’t want to “die in America” amid political tensions. On July 22, 2025, Osbourne suffered a cardiac arrest at his Birmingham home, passing away at 1:45 a.m. surrounded by family, including Sharon and children Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis. The family’s statement, shared via NPR, read, “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.”

The Osbourne Legacy: From Black Sabbath to Pop Culture Icon

Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, Osbourne grew up in a working-class family, leaving school at 15 due to dyslexia and ADHD, which went undiagnosed until his 30s. In 1968, he formed Black Sabbath with Iommi, Butler, and Ward, naming the band after a Boris Karloff horror film. Their 1970 debut album, Black Sabbath, and follow-up Paranoid, featuring hits like “Iron Man” and “War Pigs,” pioneered heavy metal with its dark, industrial sound. The band sold over 75 million albums, with tracks like “Electric Funeral” shaping subgenres like doom metal.

Fired from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to substance abuse, Osbourne launched a solo career with Blizzard of Ozz (1980), which sold over 55 million copies, driven by “Crazy Train.” His antics—biting the head off a bat in 1982, urinating on the Alamo, and attempting to strangle Sharon in 1989 while intoxicated—cemented his “Prince of Darkness” persona but also led to legal and personal turmoil. His marriage to Sharon, who managed his career from 1979, was a cornerstone of his success, leading to the MTV reality show The Osbournes (2002-2005), which introduced him to a new generation.

Eminem and Osbourne: An Unlikely Connection

Eminem’s tribute was rooted in a deep admiration for Osbourne, whose rebellious spirit resonated with the rapper’s own journey. Both artists, known for their raw authenticity, overcame personal struggles—Osbourne with addiction, Eminem with poverty and abuse—to become cultural icons. Eminem has cited Black Sabbath as an influence, particularly their unapologetic sound, which echoed his own defiant lyricism. In a 2010 MTV interview, Eminem praised Osbourne’s ability to “turn pain into art,” a theme evident in his funeral performance.

The choice of “Crazy Train” was symbolic, as the song’s frenetic energy and introspective lyrics mirrored Eminem’s style. The performance also paid homage to Osbourne’s boundary-breaking career, which blended metal with pop culture moments like his 2003 duet “Changes” with daughter Kelly, a UK No. 1 hit. Fans on X, like @SlimShadyStan, noted the parallel: “Eminem and Ozzy, two guys who didn’t fit in but changed the game. That tribute was everything.”

Tributes from Across the Globe

Osbourne’s memorial was a testament to his universal appeal. In Birmingham, fans left flowers, beer, and tequila at the Black Sabbath Bench, a local landmark, with some drawing bats in tribute to his infamous 1982 incident. Rapper Drake, who visited the site, called Osbourne “a legend who made misfits feel seen,” per The New York Times. Lady Gaga, in a tearful San Francisco performance, wore an Ozzy T-shirt and covered “Crazy Town,” dedicating it to “a true original.”

Rock peers also paid their respects. Metallica, who performed at Osbourne’s farewell concert, called him a “hero, icon, pioneer, and friend” on X, crediting him with transforming their career. Nirvana wrote, “@BlackSabbath is the template for heavy Rock,” while Rob Zombie shared, “Goodbye Ozzy. Thanks for everything.” Alice Cooper mourned the loss of a “rock n roll legend,” and Piers Morgan, who once interviewed Osbourne, recalled his humor and love for Sharon.

Kelly Osbourne’s tribute, shared on Instagram, was particularly moving: “I lost the best friend I ever had.” Sharon, who managed Osbourne’s career and stood by him through decades of chaos, has remained silent since the family’s initial statement, prompting fans to send condolences on X, like @Jedward’s post: “Sending love to Sharon and Kelly and Jack.”

Controversies and Complex Legacy

Osbourne’s life was not without controversy. His 1980s antics, including biting the heads off doves and a bat, fueled the Satanic Panic, though he later clarified the bat was an accident. His 1989 arrest for attempting to murder Sharon while intoxicated strained their marriage, though they reconciled. Critics, like those cited in Andscape, argued his offstage behavior sometimes overshadowed his musical contributions, but fans saw his flaws as part of his authenticity.

His Birmingham roots remained central to his identity. “He was such a Brummie,” said fan Sunny Randhawa, per The New York Times, noting Osbourne’s wild yet down-to-earth nature. His final concert and funeral in Birmingham cemented his status as a hometown hero, with calls to name an airport or venue after him gaining traction online.

Conclusion

Eminem’s tear-jerking performance at Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral, dedicated with “This one’s for Ozzy, RIP OZZY,” encapsulated the profound loss felt by fans and artists alike. Blending rap with “Crazy Train,” Eminem honored a man whose music and persona gave voice to outsiders. Osbourne’s death, just weeks after his farewell concert, marked the end of a storied career that birthed heavy metal and reshaped pop culture. From Birmingham’s Black Sabbath Bench to global tributes, his legacy endures through his music, his family, and moments like Eminem’s unforgettable tribute. As fans mourn, Osbourne’s wish for a celebratory funeral, expressed in a 2011 Sunday Times Q&A, was fulfilled—a testament to a life that, despite its chaos, brought millions together.