Diddy shared that he pays British pacemaker Sting a lump sum of money every day, for not filtering a sample.
The rapper and producer, 53, took to Twitter on Wednesday to reveal that he’s being paid $5,000 a day in royalties to sample rocker 71’s hit 1983 hit Every Breath You Take, on his 1997 single I’m Gonna Miss You.
The hip-hop mogul retweeted a clip from Sting’s 2018 interview with The Breakfast Club, in which the musician was asked if it was true that he receives $2,000 a day from Diddy for the sample, which he confirmed.
Diddy clarified in his caption that the amount is actually greater, writing: ‘No. 5k a day. Love my brother @OfficialSting.’
During the original interview, the former police chief said Diddy only asked for permission after the song was released, but added, “We’re very good friends now.”
Big Mistake: Diddy shared that he pays Sting $5,000 a day in royalties for not erasing a sample of his iconic 1983 rock single, Every Breath You Take; The duo pictured 2018
Sting confirmed the rumors after host Charlemagne Tha God asked him about the daily pay-per-day, to which the British rocker replied, “Yes, for the rest of his life.”
He also praised the melody: “It was a beautiful version of that song.”
If Diddy’s $5,000 payment was issued every 24 hours, Sting would make about $1.8 million each year.
I’ll Be Missing was a tribute to the famous New York rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who died at the age of 24 in 1997.
Diddy was accompanied by Biggie’s ex-wife Faith Evans on the song, along with R&B group 112.
Sting and Diddy performed the sentimental tune together at the MTV Video Music Awards held at Radio City Music Hall, New York City, on September 4, 1997.
The tribute was a success and spent 11 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. Diddy also won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards.
Gonna Miss You was the second single from Diddy’s 1998 debut album, No Way Out.
Clarification: The hip-hop mogul, 53, retweeted a clip from Sting’s 2018 interview with The Breakfast Club, where he was said to pay 2k a day, and clarified that it’s actually 5k
Worth It: The sample was used on Diddy’s 1997 single I’m Gonna Miss You – a tribute to the famous New York rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who died at the age of 24 in 1997; Peggy pictured in 1996
Throwback: Sting and Diddy performed the song together at the MTV Video Music Awards held at Radio City Music Hall, New York City, on September 4, 1997
lucky! If Diddy’s $5,000 payment was issued every 24 hours, Sting would make about $1.8 million each year; Pictured is 2023
Diddy recently honored Biggie in a tweet shared on the 26th anniversary of his death last month.
‘There won’t be another.’ The greatest rapper of all time, he wrote, adding, “Today we celebrate and honor you as King. I love you and miss you!!”
It comes after Sting sold his entire music catalog to Universal in a deal said to be worth £183 million ($250 million).
The publishing group now owns both his solo work and albums with The Police – which includes hits like Roxanne, Every Breath You Take, and Fields Of Gold.
Universal Music Group (UMG), which has been the home of the North Tyneside-raised musician throughout his career, will now represent both his song catalog and his recorded music catalog.
