Rock legend Sting knows a thing or three about his classic records being sampled in Hip Hop songs – a practice that can still be considered a winning formula in the present day.
Rookie rapper Juice Wrld is the latest artist to build off a great Sting song, as his breakout single “Lucid Dreams” employed a sample of The Police frontman’s 1993 solo hit, “Shape of My Heart,” reached the No. 2 spot on the Billboard 100 chart and No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
While Sting tells Billboard that Juice Wrld’s runaway hit is a “beautiful interpretation that is faithful to the original song’s form,” he also joked that the “Lucid Dreams” royalties will “put my grandkids through college.”
Dominic Miller, the song’s co-writer and Sting’s longtime collaborator agreed saying, “I thought it was the most intelligent version of that riff that I’ve ever heard. I was really happy with it. I love what he’s saying. He talking about something everyone can relate to, which is a breakup. It’s done in a very beautiful way. We’re really happy for his success and, of course, for us too” and called the No. 1 placement “a happy accident.”
In a recent interview with HipHopDX, Sting spoke on his 44/876 Tour life with Shaggy and admitted to Billboard that performing a redux of “Lucid Dreams” has been a success thus far.
“It always gets a great response,” he said.
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All this time had no idea Nas’ ‘the message’ was a Sting sample LOL. Learn something new everyday
Straight up me to man!
Just last week I had to tell my 12-year old daughter, “I have a confession to make. That song that you were always singing that I said is weird and depressing……I actually like it now.” She bust out laughing. I was talking about this song. It grew on me.
he so fine good job boo