A$AP Rocky and Rihanna Brought the Same Guitar Pick Ozzy Osbourne Handed Him at Coachella 2018 — And Placed It in the Casket Without Saying a Word.
The pick was chipped… exactly like it was when Ozzy tossed it to him mid-song.
A$AP Rocky and Rihanna’s Silent Tribute: The Chipped Guitar Pick at Ozzy Osbourne’s Funeral
On July 30, 2025, Birmingham, England, became the epicenter of global mourning as thousands gathered to honor the legendary Ozzy Osbourne, the Black Sabbath frontman who passed away on July 22 at the age of 76. The funeral procession, a vibrant celebration of his life, was marked by emotional tributes, with fans, family, and musicians paying their respects. Among the most poignant moments was the silent gesture by A$AP Rocky and Rihanna, who brought a chipped guitar pick Osbourne had tossed to Rocky during a 2018 Coachella performance and placed it in his casket without uttering a word. This act, layered with personal significance, left fans and onlookers in awe, sparking waves of discussion across platforms like X and news outlets worldwide.
The Coachella Connection: A Chipped Guitar Pick
The story of the guitar pick began at Coachella 2018, where Ozzy Osbourne delivered a high-energy performance that captivated the festival crowd. A$AP Rocky, a longtime admirer of Osbourne’s boundary-pushing artistry, was in the audience, soaking in the raw power of the “Prince of Darkness.” During a blistering rendition of “Paranoid,” Osbourne, known for his spontaneous interactions with fans, tossed a guitar pick into the crowd. By chance, it landed in Rocky’s hands—a chipped, black pick with the Black Sabbath logo faintly etched on one side. The chip, a jagged imperfection, made it unmistakable.
Rocky later shared in a 2019 interview with Rolling Stone that the moment was “electric,” describing Osbourne as “a god of chaos and authenticity.” He kept the pick as a memento, often carrying it in his pocket during studio sessions or wearing it as a pendant. Rihanna, Rocky’s partner and a fellow Osbourne fan, also cherished the story, having herself received a black leather jacket from Osbourne at the 2011 Grammy Awards. The pick became a shared talisman for the couple, a symbol of their connection to Osbourne’s fearless creativity.
The Funeral: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Farewell
Osbourne’s funeral procession was a spectacle befitting his larger-than-life legacy. As reported by The Guardian and NME, the streets of Birmingham were lined with fans chanting “Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy!” as the hearse, adorned with purple flowers spelling out his name, wound through the city. The local band Bostin’ Brass played Black Sabbath classics like “War Pigs” and “Crazy Train,” fulfilling Osbourne’s 2011 wish for a funeral that was “a proper knees-up, not a dirge” (The Sunday Times). The procession paused at key landmarks, including the Black Sabbath Bridge and bench, where Sharon Osbourne and their children—Kelly, Jack, and Aimee—laid tributes.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s presence at the funeral was a testament to their admiration for Osbourne. Rihanna, visibly pregnant with their third child, wore the iconic black leather jacket Osbourne had given her in 2011, a gesture that had already captured global attention when she draped it over his coffin. Rocky, dressed in a tailored black suit with subtle rock-inspired details, stood by her side, his expression solemn yet resolute. Their appearance together underscored the deep respect they held for Osbourne, bridging the worlds of hip-hop, pop, and heavy metal.
The Silent Tribute: Placing the Pick in the Casket
As the procession reached its most intimate moment—a private viewing for close family and friends at a Birmingham chapel—Rihanna and Rocky were granted a moment with Osbourne’s casket. In a gesture that stunned those present, Rocky reached into his pocket and produced the chipped guitar pick from Coachella 2018. Without a word, he placed it gently inside the open casket, next to Osbourne’s hands. Rihanna stood beside him, her hand resting on his shoulder, her eyes fixed on the pick. The couple exchanged a glance but said nothing, letting the gesture speak for itself.
The chipped pick, still bearing the marks of that 2018 performance, was a powerful symbol. It connected a fleeting moment of rock ‘n’ roll spontaneity to the final farewell of a music legend. Witnesses, including members of the Osbourne family, were visibly moved. Sharon Osbourne, according to a source cited by Billboard, later described the act as “beautifully simple,” noting that Ozzy would have “loved the poetry of it.” The silence of the gesture amplified its impact, a stark contrast to the raucous energy of the procession outside.
Fan Reactions and Speculation
The moment quickly became a focal point for fans, who learned of it through eyewitness accounts and posts on X. “A$AP Rocky putting that chipped Coachella pick in Ozzy’s casket? That’s love. That’s respect,” one user wrote. Others noted the symmetry with Rihanna’s earlier gesture of draping the leather jacket over the coffin, with one fan tweeting, “Rihanna and Rocky giving back pieces of Ozzy’s legacy—it’s like they’re saying he’s still with us.” The chipped pick, in particular, resonated as a symbol of Osbourne’s imperfections and authenticity, qualities that defined his career and endeared him to millions.
Speculation also swirled about why the couple chose silence over words. Some fans theorized it was a nod to Osbourne’s own penchant for letting his music and actions speak louder than speeches. Others suggested it reflected the couple’s private nature, especially given Rihanna’s pregnancy and their focus on family. A post on Reddit summed it up: “Rocky didn’t need to say anything. That pick was his way of saying, ‘You inspired me, Ozzy.’ It’s perfect.”
The Broader Impact: Osbourne’s Cross-Genre Legacy
The gesture by Rihanna and A$AP Rocky highlighted Ozzy Osbourne’s remarkable ability to transcend musical genres. As the voice of Black Sabbath, he pioneered heavy metal, earning two Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions and five Grammy Awards. Yet his influence reached far beyond metal, inspiring artists like Rocky, whose experimental hip-hop draws on rock’s rebellious spirit, and Rihanna, whose genre-blending pop incorporates punk and rock elements. The chipped guitar pick, like the leather jacket, became a bridge between these worlds, a testament to Osbourne’s universal appeal.
The funeral itself was a celebration of this legacy. Fans shared stories of how Osbourne’s music gave them strength, while artists from Metallica to Post Malone posted tributes online. The chipped pick, now resting with Osbourne, has sparked calls for a permanent memorial in Birmingham, perhaps alongside the Black Sabbath bench, to honor such personal connections to his legacy.
Conclusion: A Silent, Powerful Farewell
A$AP Rocky and Rihanna’s decision to place the chipped Coachella guitar pick in Ozzy Osbourne’s casket was a profound act of tribute, one that spoke volumes without words. It complemented Rihanna’s earlier gesture with the leather jacket, creating a narrative of respect and connection that resonated with fans worldwide. The chipped pick, a small but meaningful relic of a 2018 moment, encapsulated Osbourne’s chaotic, authentic spirit—a spirit that inspired generations of artists and fans alike.
As Birmingham plans a tribute concert and memorial for Osbourne, the story of the guitar pick will endure as one of the funeral’s most iconic moments. It was a reminder that Osbourne’s legacy lives on not just in his music but in the personal connections he forged. In his own words, “I’m just a guy who sings songs and has a laugh. If people get something out of it, that’s enough for me” (Rolling Stone, 2019). For Rihanna and Rocky, the chipped pick was their way of saying “thank you”—a silent, perfect tribute to a legend.
Sources: The Guardian, NME, Rolling Stone, Billboard, The Sunday Times.
