Sting Owns 85% of the Rights to Juice WRLD’s "Lucid Dreams"

Juice WRLD’s breakout anthem “Lucid Dreams” has become one of the defining songs of a generation, catapulting the young Chicago artist into international fame. But behind the track’s diamond-certified success lies a complex and controversial story involving music rights, sample clearance, and one of rock’s most iconic voices—Sting.

Released in 2018, “Lucid Dreams” quickly took the world by storm with its emotional lyrics, melodic flow, and haunting instrumental. At the heart of that instrumental lies a prominent sample from Sting’s 1993 track “Shape of My Heart”—a move that wasn’t properly cleared before the song’s release. That misstep ended up costing Juice WRLD and his team dearly.

In the aftermath of the song’s explosive popularity, Sting gained ownership of 85% of the rights to “Lucid Dreams.” The situation was a major point of contention for the song’s producer, Nick Mira, who publicly voiced his frustration over the deal. Many felt that the percentage awarded to Sting was excessive, especially considering how much of the track’s emotional impact came from Juice WRLD’s lyrics and delivery.

Despite the business drama, Sting himself expressed admiration for the song. In an interview with Billboard, he called “Lucid Dreams” a “beautiful interpretation that is faithful to the original song’s form.” He even jokingly mentioned that the royalties from the track would “put his grandkids through college.”

Financially, “Lucid Dreams” became a juggernaut, racking up over 11 million units sold and earning diamond certification in the United States. Artistically, it became the track that solidified Juice WRLD as a once-in-a-generation voice, able to blend hip-hop, emo, and pop into something deeply relatable and fresh.

While the legal fallout is a cautionary tale about the importance of clearing samples in the music industry, it doesn’t take away from the song’s lasting impact. “Lucid Dreams” stands as a powerful fusion of two eras—Sting’s melancholic guitar work meeting Juice WRLD’s raw vulnerability.

It’s a reminder of both the magic and the pitfalls that come with creating music in a world where inspiration often walks a tightrope with intellectual property.