Diddy recently stirred up a conversation about royalties when he claimed he pays Sting $5,000 daily for sampling The Police’s 1983 hit “Every Breath You Take” in his 1997 song “I’ll Be Missing You.” This claim was made in response to a resurfaced video from a 2018 interview where Sting confirmed he receives $2,000 daily from Diddy for the sample. However, Diddy later clarified that his statement was a joke, and the actual amount is not as high as he initially claimed.
The 2018 interview on The Breakfast Club featured Sting discussing the royalties he receives from Diddy. When asked if Diddy pays him $2,000 daily for the sample, Sting confirmed, adding that the payment would continue for the rest of his life. He also mentioned that Diddy sought permission to use the sample only after the song was released. Despite the initial lack of permission, Sting expressed no hard feelings and noted that he and Diddy are now good friends.
“I’ll Be Missing You,” a tribute to the late Notorious B.I.G., became a massive hit, topping the U.S. charts for 11 weeks and achieving global success. The song’s success brought significant royalties to Sting, who has used the proceeds to fund his children’s education. In a 2003 Rolling Stone interview, Sting mentioned that the royalties from “I’ll Be Missing You” had made him a millionaire twice over, thanks to the song’s enduring popularity.
Diddy’s recent tweets about the royalties reignited interest in the topic. Initially, he tweeted that he pays Sting $5,000 daily, but he later clarified that this was a joke. “I want y’all to understand I was joking! It’s called being Facetious! Me and @OfficialSting have been friends for a long time! He never charged me $3K or $5K a day for Missing You. He probably makes more than $5K a day from one of the biggest songs in history,” Diddy wrote.
The exact amount Diddy pays Sting remains unclear, but the 2018 interview suggests it is $2,000 daily. This figure has not been officially confirmed by either party, and the terms of the royalty payments are not publicly disclosed. Sting’s music catalog, including “Every Breath You Take,” was acquired by Universal Music Publishing Group in 2022 in a deal reportedly worth around $350 million. This acquisition likely means that a significant portion of the royalties now goes to Universal.
Sting’s catalog includes numerous hits from his solo career and his time with The Police, such as “Roxanne,” “Shape Of My Heart,” “Fields Of Gold,” and “Message in a Bottle.” The comprehensive deal with Universal covers both the copyrights for his songs and his royalties as a songwriter, ensuring that Sting continues to receive substantial income from his extensive body of work.
In addition to the royalties from “I’ll Be Missing You,” Sting has also benefited from other artists sampling his music. For instance, the late Juice WRLD’s 2018 hit “Lucid Dreams” sampled Sting’s “Shape of My Heart,” leading to significant royalties for Sting. Despite some controversy over the percentage of royalties, Sting praised “Lucid Dreams” as a beautiful interpretation of his original song.
The relationship between Diddy and Sting highlights the complexities of music sampling and royalties. While Diddy initially used the sample without permission, the situation was amicably resolved, and the two artists have maintained a good relationship. The royalties from “I’ll Be Missing You” have provided substantial financial benefits to Sting, demonstrating the enduring value of his music.
In conclusion, the exact amount Diddy pays Sting for sampling “Every Breath You Take” remains unconfirmed, but it is clear that the royalties have been significant. The relationship between the two artists underscores the importance of proper licensing and the potential financial rewards of successful music sampling. As the music industry continues to evolve, the case of Diddy and Sting serves as a notable example of the complexities and benefits of music royalties.
Source: Variety, Rolling Stone, The Breakfast Club, Universal Music Publishing Group, Twitter
