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 on his 1997 song I’ll Be Missing You.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the 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 to engage in prostitution – had ‘tainted’ the song.
Sting admitted he wasn’t aware ‘what went on’ with the rapper but either way, it didn’t ruin the song.
‘No. I mean, I don’t know what went on [with Diddy]. But it doesn’t taint the song at all for me. It’s still my song,’ he said.
The interviewer noted that people still loved the song, prompting Sting to reply, ‘Absolutely.’
Sting has revealed the allegations against Diddy have not ruined Every Breath You Take, his song with The Police that was later sampled by the disgraced rapper on his 1997 song I’ll Be Missing You; Sting and Diddy pictured in 2018 at the Grammy Awards
In 1997, Combs released the chart-topping hit ‘I’ll Be Missing You’ as a tribute to New York rapper The Notorious B.I.G., 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 at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 and winning a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
However, the track sampled Every Breath You Take without permission, leading to a costly 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 the use of the song, a fee that will reportedly be paid for the rest of 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: ‘Yeah, for the rest of his life.’
Charlemagne probed, ‘But did he ask for permission… after the fact?’ to which Sting answered: ‘Yes, he did.’
In a twist of humour, Combs jokingly tweeted last year that the actual amount was even higher, claiming in a post on X: ‘Nope. 5K a day. Love to my brother @OfficialSting!’
Every Breath You Take was released by The Police in 1983 and the song was later sampled by Diddy, 55, 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 he was joking. He explained in a follow-up post: ‘I want y’all to understand I was joking! It’s called being facetious!’
Combs reassured fans that he and Sting are longtime friends and that Sting likely earns far more than $5,000 daily from the track.
He explained: ‘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. LOVE.’
Diddy is currently awaiting trial behind bars on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution; pictured 2022
Sting and Diddy performed the emotional tune together at MTV Video Music Awards held in Radio City Music Hall, New York City, on September 4, 1997.
The tribute was a hit and spent 11 weeks on top of 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.
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