The Recording Academy
On Friday, the 30th, in Downtown Los Angeles, Dominic Harrison (Yungblud) experienced a rare moment of peace during his busy rock career. The event took place at Grammy House, where the three-time nominee took the stage for a Grammy U Masterclass. Moderated by music journalist Allison Hagendorf, the conversation unfolded naturally rather than in a strict Q&A format, providing insightful reflection throughout the session.
The conversation naturally shifted to “Zombie,” Yungblud’s Best Rock Song nomination, currently up against songs from Sleep Token, Turnstile, Hayley Williams, and Nine Inch Nails. Harrison admitted the song came from a raw place, written in the aftermath of losing his grandmother to alcoholism.
Reflecting on this process, Harrison explained that trusting his gut—even when it’s messy—has shaped his entire career. He described art as valuable because it exists, not for its validation by critics or trophies. Still, the Grammy Awards hold meaning for him, especially because fellow musicians nominate him. He noted feeling stunned by the recognition, calling the peer-voted aspect cool.
This theme of intuition continued with his latest album, “Idols,” which was originally meant to arrive years earlier and was nominated for Best Rock Album. Harrison shelved it, unsure if he was ready.
Carrying that philosophy even further, Harrison recalled his tear-evoking performance of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” at the band’s farewell show in Birmingham, marking another Grammy-nominated moment. Covering Ozzy Osbourne, Harrison said it was a “You can’t f— this up” moment. Ozzy, to him, represented proof that being misunderstood doesn’t mean they don’t deserve recognition.
This mindset informs every aspect of Yungblud’s creative evolution. From collaborating with Aerosmith to launching BludFest as a platform for emerging artists, he continues to grow his presence in the rock music industry. As he told the crowd near the end, music lives in people.
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