Billboard has published a new interview with Sting about the tragic passing of rapper and singer Juice WRLD this past weekend. “‘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,” the former Police member told the magazine. “This is such a tragic loss for the world of music, a young life with so much potential and a unique and precious talent.”
Notably, Sting also used the interview as an opportunity to insist that, contrary to popular opinion, he did not sue Juice WRLD over the interpolation and sample of “Shape of my Heart” that Juice WRLD’s No. 2 charting hit “Lucid Dreams” contains. A spokesperson for the musician states that those rumours are “simply untrue,” despite “Lucid Dreams” producer Nick Mira once stating that Sting collects 85% of the song’s royalties, and Sting himself stating that the song will “put his grandchildren through college.”
Juice WRLD passed away this past weekend after having a seizure at an airport. He was 21. Since his death, new details have emerged about his final hours, including the news that he was the target of a drug raid shortly before his passing. Since his death, many of Juice WRLD’s closest friends, collaborators, and admirers have shared their condolences, including Lil Nas X, who covered “Lucid Dreams” at a show this week.