Diddy Pays Sting $2,000 Per Day for Using His Song Without Permission

One of the most surprising and expensive stories in music copyright history involves none other than Diddy and Sting—a tale that proves just how costly unauthorized sampling can be.

Back in 1997, Diddy released the tribute track “I’ll Be Missing You” in honor of the late Notorious B.I.G. The song sampled The Police’s 1983 classic “Every Breath You Take,” written by Sting. But here’s the twist: the sample was used without permission, and the clearance only came after the song had already become a massive hit.

As a result, Sting ended up securing one of the most lucrative royalty arrangements in music history.

$2,000 Per Day—Every Day

Years later, Sting confirmed that Diddy pays him $2,000 per day for using the song without proper clearance. That adds up to over $700,000 per year, and millions over the decades—making it one of the most expensive samples ever used.

Even more shocking, Sting owns 100% of the publishing royalties, meaning every time “I’ll Be Missing You” is played, streamed, or licensed, he gets the check. The song has earned him tens of millions of dollars and continues to pay out daily.

One of the Most Successful Tribute Songs Ever

Despite the steep cost, “I’ll Be Missing You” became one of the biggest hits of Diddy's career. The song topped charts around the world, won a Grammy, and remains an emotional anthem honoring Biggie’s legacy.

The story is a reminder that in the music industry, a hit record can change your life—but a copyright mistake can change your bank account.

A Lesson for Every Artist

Sampling is part of hip-hop culture, but stories like this underscore the importance of clearing samples before releasing music. Otherwise, artists risk losing ownership—and millions—to the original creators.

Diddy may have made history with the song, but Sting definitely made a fortune.