Sting has revealed how the allegations against Diddy have impacted his impression of Every Breath You Take, his 1983 song with The Police that was later sampled by the disgraced rapper in his 1997 song I’ll Be Missing You.
In an interview with Los Angeles TimesThe musician, 73, was asked if the recent controversy surrounding Diddy, 55, who is currently awaiting trial behind bars on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation into prostitution, had “tainted “the song.
Sting admitted that he wasn’t aware of “what happened” with the rapper, but either way, that didn’t ruin the song.
‘No. I mean, I don’t know what happened (with Diddy). But for me it doesn’t taint the song at all. It’s still my song,’ he said.
The interviewer noted that people still loved the song, prompting Sting to respond, “Absolutely.”
Sting has revealed that the allegations against Diddy have not ruined Every Breath You Take, his song with The Police that was later sampled by the disgraced rapper in his 1997 song I’ll Be Missing You; Sting and Diddy photographed in 2018 at the Grammy Awards
In 1997, Combs released the hit ‘I’ll Be Missing You’ as a tribute to New York rapper The Notorious BIG, who had been murdered earlier that year.
Featuring vocals from Biggie’s wife Faith Evans, I’ll Be Missing You became an international sensation, spending 11 weeks atop the US Billboard Hot 100 and winning a Grammy for Best Rap Performance. of a duo or group.
However, the track sampled Every Breath You Take without permission, leading to an expensive legal settlement.
In a 2018 interview on The Breakfast Club, the former Police frontman revealed that he receives $2,000 (£1,494) a day from Diddy for use of the song, a fee that will reportedly be paid for the rest of the Combs’ life.
Radio host Charlamagne Tha God asked Sting if it was true that Combs had to pay him daily royalties for the sample, to which Sting confirmed: “Yes, for the rest of his life.”
Charlemagne asked: ‘But did he ask permission… after the fact?’ to which Sting replied: ‘Yes, he did.’
In a humorous twist, Combs jokingly tweeted last year that the real number was even higher, stating in a post on X: ‘No. 5K a day. Love to my brother @OfficialSting!’
Every Breath You Take was released by The Police in 1983 and then Diddy, 55, sampled the song for I’ll Be Missing You as a tribute to The Notorious B.I.G.; Sting pictured performing in Las Vegas
However, he later clarified his comment, admitting that he was joking. He explained in a follow-up post: ‘I want everyone to understand I was joking! It’s called being a joker!’
Combs assured fans that he and Sting have been friends for a long time and that Sting probably makes much more than $5,000 a day on the track.
He explained: ‘He never charged me $3,000 or $5,000 a day for Missing You. He probably makes over $5,000 a day from one of the biggest songs in history. LOVE.’
Diddy is currently awaiting trial behind bars on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution; in the photo 2022
Sting and Diddy performed the emotional 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 hit 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.
I’ll Be Missing You was the second single from Diddy’s 1998 debut album, No Way Out.