Sting Regrets ‘Tragic Loss’ of Juice WRLD Despite Rights Battle

Sting called the death of 21-year-old rapper Juice WRLD over the weekend a “tragic loss,” even though they were previously involved in a rights battle.

Juice WRLD used elements of the classic Sting song “Shape of My Heart” in his 2018 track “Lucid Dreams” and later had to give up 85 percent of the copyright to Sting and co-writer Dominic Miller. Sting described “Lucid Dreams” as a "beautiful interpretation that is faithful to the original song’s form.”

“We wish him well," he said. "I’m sure we’ll meet up down the road.” Sting also noted that his share of royalties from the rap track will “put my grandkids through college."

“This is such a tragic loss for the world of music, a young life with so much potential and a unique and precious talent," Sting told Billboard in a new interview. "'Lucid Dreams' was my favorite of all the many interpolations of 'Shape of My Heart,' it will resonate for many years to come. My sincere condolences to the family.”

You can listen to "Lucid Dreams" below.

Later in 2018, Juice WRLD’s producer Nick Mira accused Sting of stealing. “Fuck @OfficialSting and his whole team," he tweeted. "After taking 85 percent of 'Lucid Dreams' (for interpolating 'Shape of My Heart,' not even sampling), he threatened to take us to court for trying to get any [percentage]. Sting also flexed stealing our money and said it put his grandkids through college.”

Juice WRLD himself appeared less upset in a tweet: “Lost millions, made millions. … The song impacted too many people 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.”

Billboard also noted in the article that Sting was "quick to shoot down rumors that he was suing the late rapper (born Jarad Anthony Higgins) over sampling his 1993 hit in the latter's 2018 breakout hit … with his spokesperson calling the gossip ‘simply untrue.’”