The 2026 GRAMMY Awards delivered an emotional moment when Post Malone, Slash and an all-star group of rock musicians came together to honor the late Ozzy Osbourne during the evening’s In Memoriam segment.
Post Malone joined guitarist Slash, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith and Duff McKagan for a powerful performance of Black Sabbath’s legendary song “War Pigs.” The tribute celebrated Osbourne’s enormous influence on rock and heavy metal and gave fans a memorable chance to hear one of his most iconic songs performed by a new generation of stars and longtime rock veterans.
Ozzy Osbourne, widely known as the “Prince of Darkness,” was a founding voice of heavy metal through Black Sabbath and later enjoyed a hugely successful solo career. He was also a five-time GRAMMY winner, making his presence in the In Memoriam segment especially meaningful.
The choice of “War Pigs” was particularly fitting. Originally released by Black Sabbath in 1970, the song became one of the band’s defining tracks. Its dark, powerful sound and anti-war message have helped it remain relevant for generations.
The performance also showed the wide reach of Ozzy’s music. Post Malone, known for moving between hip-hop, pop and rock, brought a different generation of fans into the tribute, while Slash, Duff McKagan and Chad Smith represented some of rock music’s most recognizable names.
For Ozzy’s family, the moment was deeply emotional. His wife Sharon Osbourne and children Kelly and Jack were in attendance, and cameras captured their emotional reactions as the musicians performed “War Pigs.”
The Ozzy tribute was one part of a larger In Memoriam presentation celebrating musicians and creative figures who had recently passed away. Reba McEntire, Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson also performed, while Ms. Lauryn Hill paid tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack.
What made the “War Pigs” performance stand out was that it felt less like a goodbye and more like a celebration of Ozzy’s lasting legacy. His voice may be gone, but the music he helped create continues to inspire artists across generations.
As Post Malone sang and Slash’s guitar filled the arena, the message was clear: Ozzy Osbourne’s influence on rock music will not disappear. His songs, his attitude and his unmistakable legacy will continue to live on.
The 2026 GRAMMYs gave Ozzy a fitting farewell—loud, emotional and unmistakably rock ‘n’ roll.