The rapper walked out to Black Sabbath's "Iron Man," the 1970 hit track about a time-traveling metal monster off Paranoid. Taking the stage, Drake addressed the thousands gathered at Utilita Arena Birmingham, as fan footage captured: "Hey Birmingham! Rest in peace to the legendary Ozzy Osbourne."

Ozzy Osbourne’s fans had sensed the end was near. Admirers watched the heavy metal icon perform while seated on a black throne at his final show just a few weeks ago.

By Gerhard Mey and Sarah Mills BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) -Hundreds of Ozzy Osbourne fans gathered at landmarks linked to the rocker in his birthplace of Birmingham on Wednesday, while artists paid tribute to his influence on heavy metal music.