Sting goes after Chicago rapper Juice Wrld for stolen sample in “Lucid Dreams”
The chart-topping song “Lucid Dreams” by Chicago rapper Juice Wrld has a hook and melody so catchy that it launched him into instant stardom, with a massive audience of youth singing along word-for-word. Though, if you’re over 25 and from Chicago, the song may have worked its way into your heart for another reason. It’s that familiar guitar melody looping in the background that immediately evokes those heartbreaking vibes from Carl Thomas’ 2000 R&B ballad, “Emotional.”
Welp! It looks like the tune actually originates from “Shape of My Heart,” a 1993 song by English singer, songwriter and bassist Sting. And the former The Police bandleader is coming for his coin.
On Saturday, producer Nick Mira addressed the issue on Twitter, venting: “Fuck @OfficialSting and his WHOLE team,” the Virginia producer wrote. He later deleted the Twitter post. “After taking 85% of Lucid Dreams (for interpolating Shape of My Heart, NOT EVEN sampling) he threatened to take us to court for trying to get any %.”
Juice Wrld also took to Twitter to address the matter, showing that he’s still happy with his success despite this major setback:
Lost millions made millions...the song impacted to many ppl in a good way for me to be upset over it..there’s always more money to be made and I will make it so ❤️❤️
— Juice WRLD 9 9 9🔪 (@JuiceWorlddd) November 18, 2018
This isn’t the first time Sting has come for a hip hop artist over the use of a track without clearance. Sting took legal action when Sean “P. Diddy” Combs forgot to ask permission to use the iconic guitar riff and melody from The Police’s 1983 song “Every Breath You Take.” Combs added the riff to “I’ll Be Missing You,” the 1997 track recorded in memory of rapper Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace. Because of that, Sting was awarded 100 percent of the royalties.
Although, Sting had previously praised Lucid Dreams as a “beautiful interpretation” of “Shape of My Heart,” the seasoned artist isn’t shy about reminding newcomers that the music industry is a business.
Nick Mira went on to say: “Sting ALSO flexed stealing our money and said it put his grandkids through college
” in a recently deleted Twitter post.
“Lucid Dreams” is five-times platinum and peaked at number 2 on Billboard’s top 100.