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Ozzy, Sharon Osbourne slam Kanye West sampling of Black Sabbath, send cease-and-desist

PEOPLE
Ozzy Osbourne

The Osbournes are furious over Kanye West sampling a Black Sabbath song on his new album, with Ozzy claiming he expressly refused permission for the rapper to do so.

“@kanyewest asked permission to sample a section of a 1983 live performance of ‘Iron Man’ from the US festival without vocals and was refused permission because he is an antisemite and has caused untold heartache to many,” Ozzy wrote on X Friday.

“He went ahead and used the sample anyway at his album listening party last night,” the 75-year-old continued. “I want no association with this man!”

Ozzy’s wife, Sharon Osbourne, who was raised Jewish, told TMZ on Friday that “Kanye (expletive) with the wrong Jew this time,” adding she and Ozzy had already sent a cease-and-desist order to Ye.

Sharon, 71, reportedly told the outlet a representative from Kanye’s team reached out about three weeks ago asking permission to sample the Black Sabbath song, and was met with an “absolutely not” from her husband.

She added Ye, who’s had a fall from grace because of his frequent antisemitic remarks and praising of Hitler, now “represents hate.” She went on to call him “dangerous” and a “pig.”

The Osbournes’ sentiments come despite West publicly issuing an apology to the Jewish community in December.

“It was not my intention to offend or demean, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused,” the rapper said in an Instagram post written in Hebrew, which has since been deleted.

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NEW YORK — A man accused of stalking Taylor Swift after being spotted multiple times outside the singer's Manhattan townhouse was found unfit to stand trial and will be committed to state custody for psychiatric treatment, attorneys said Friday.

David Crowe, 33, was arrested three times late last month in front of the pop star’s home in Manhattan's exclusive Tribeca neighborhood. The Seattle resident faced charges of stalking, harassment and contempt.

Prosecutors have said Crowe violated a protective order issued Jan. 24 mandating he stay away from Swift and her home on the same day it was issued.

Crowe was found unfit to stand trial after a psychiatric exam, and the case was dismissed. He will be committed to the custody of the Office of Mental Health to receive treatment, according to the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

“We are pleased that all parties now agree to the obvious truth that Mr. Crowe is too ill to proceed, and that he requires treatment, not jail,” Katherine LeGeros Bajuk of New York County Defender Services said in a prepared statement. “We look forward to ensuring Mr. Crowe is provided with the psychiatric treatment and supportive social services he needs to achieve a successful and stable re-entry into society.”

Crowe had been spotted near the singer’s home about 30 times since Nov. 25, according to court documents.

Swift’s Manhattan townhouse has been the scene of several break-ins when Swift wasn’t there, including by some who were identified as stalkers.

A representative for the singer did not return an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.

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Beyonce

LOS ANGELES — Beyoncé is back with two new country tracks.

A Verizon commercial starring Beyoncé aired during the Super Bowl and ended with the superstar saying “They ready, drop the new music.” Later, a cryptic Instagram video with country iconography appeared on her page, teasing “act ii” on March 29.

On her official website, under the “music” tab, two titles were listed — “Texas Hold 'Em” and “16 Carriages,” which later appeared as full songs on Tidal, YouTube and Spotify. The first is an uptempo country and western stomp.

“16 Carriages” is a soulful slow-burn with ascendent organs and steel guitar, Beyoncé singing an ode to hard work and legacy.

A quick examination of the credits shows she may be working closely with Raphael Saadiq.

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Rapper Killer Mike‘s multiple Grammy wins may have been overshadowed by his arrest Sunday, but he’s grateful for the blessings that followed — namely, a medical miracle for his son.

The 48-year-old rapper and activist’s eldest son, Mikael “Pony Boy” Render, 21, underwent kidney transplant surgery on Monday after a three-year wait, TMZ reported.

In an interview published Thursday , Killer Mike opened up about the twist of fate following his detainment for misdemeanor battery at Crytpo.com Arena.

“The very next morning, I got a call that my child, after being on the list for three years, finally got his kidney,” the “Scientists and Engineers” lyricist told GQ. “And I can just truly tell you that God is real. And the same way Christ gave us an example of being by himself, of being tempted by Satan, I understand that a lot better now because I could have succumbed to anger or evil and talked s–. But I’m just grateful. I’m grateful.”

He continued: “I’m grateful that God showed me within 24 hours that there’s something more important than even the accolades you’ve worked for. And that’s my family and my child and I’m just thankful. I thank Him.”

Killer Mike, whose real name is Michael Santiago Render, won Grammys for best rap performance, best rap album and best rap song during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.

The Atlanta native was arrested, booked and released after an alleged “physical altercation” with a female security guard at a security checkpoint outside of the venue.

From combined wire services

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