Sting is unfazed by the controversy facing Sean “Diddy” Combs, maintaining that his iconic track “Every Breath You Take” remains a personal masterpiece.
The rapper notably sampled the 1983 hit on his 1997 tribute song “I’ll Be Missing You,” following the death of his friend, The Notorious B.I.G.
Recent legal issues surrounding Combs—including charges of alleged sex trafficking—have sparked questions from fans about whether these developments impact how Sting feels about the borrowed melody.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the 73-year-old music legend confirmed his stance.
“It doesn’t taint the song at all for me,” Sting said. “I mean, I don’t know what went on with Diddy, but it’s still my song.”
Sting has looked back favorably on their 1997 collaboration, including a joint performance of “I’ll Be Missing You” at the MTV Video Music Awards that same year—a moment many fans still remember.
For Sting, the artistic life of a song continues once it’s released.
He acknowledged that other musicians have also drawn from his work, including Pink and Marshmello’s recent track “Dreaming,” which samples “Fields of Gold,” his solo hit from the early ’90s.
Rather than resist these modern-day interpolations, Sting welcomes them.
“When somebody wants to interpolate or whatever it’s called,” he explained, “I never object because I always learn something new about the song that I didn’t realize before. Plus, I get paid, so what’s the harm?”
The British rocker also described music as a living entity, constantly evolving through fresh interpretations.
“Songs are living organisms—you have to keep breathing life into them or give them new bedfellows,” he said, emphasizing his openness to collaboration with contemporary artists.
Meanwhile, Diddy, 55, has been held in custody since September, facing multiple allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking.
Denied bail, he is currently awaiting trial, which is set to take place next year.