Sting has revealed that Sean “P Diddy” Combs compensated him handsomely after Diddy sampled The Police’s hit “Every Breath You Take” in his 1997 tribute song “I’ll Be Missing You,” dedicated to The Notorious B.I.G. This sampling led to a significant financial arrangement, with Sting claiming that Diddy paid him “enough money to make him a millionaire twice over.”
The controversy began when Diddy used the sample without obtaining Sting’s prior consent. In 2018, Sting mentioned that Diddy was required to pay him $2,000 daily for the rest of his life due to the unauthorized use. Diddy later humorously responded to Sting’s claim, suggesting on X (formerly Twitter) that the amount was actually $5,000 a day.
While the exact figures exchanged between the two remain unclear, Sting previously indicated that the royalties from the song were substantial enough to fund some of his children’s education. He recounted how Elton John informed him about the financial windfall, jokingly adding, “I am a millionaire! You’re gonna be a millionaire twice over!”
Diddy later clarified that his mention of the $5,000 fee was made in jest, emphasizing his long-standing friendship with Sting. He stated, “I want y’all to understand I was joking! It’s called being facetious!” Diddy acknowledged that while he pays significant sums for the sampling rights, it’s likely more than the figures he previously mentioned.
Meanwhile, Diddy has recently been arrested and is facing serious federal charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, with his lawyers proposing $50 million for bail and requesting in-home detention. However, the judge ordered Diddy to remain in custody. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, asserted that Diddy is determined to fight the allegations and maintain his innocence.