Category: Finance | Title: I'll Be Missing You Original Song Sting: Songwriters, Royalties, and Music Rights Explained | Tag: Music Royalties | Meta Description: Who wrote "I'll Be Missing You," how Sting and the original song connect, and how music royalties work for sampling in hit singles...
Songwriters and Credits for the Original Sample
The hit single "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans prominently samples the melody and chord progression from The Police's 1983 song "Every Breath You Take." The original composition credits for that underlying track list Sting as the sole songwriter, meaning he receives publishing royalties whenever the sample is used commercially. The master recording rights for the original Police track are administered through the label that released the 1983 single, and the composition copyright is managed by Sting's music publishing entity. Understanding how these royalties flow is essential for anyone studying modern hit songwriting and sampling practices.
In the official liner notes and performance rights organization databases, the writing credits for "Every Breath You Take" are attributed to Gordon Sumner, known professionally as Sting. This credit has remained consistent across decades of radio play, streaming, and sync licensing. The song's publishing rights have historically been a point of discussion because the melody is instantly recognizable, and the sample in "I'll Be Missing You" was cleared through the proper copyright channels, resulting in ongoing royalty splits between the original composition owner and the new recording's rights holders.
Chart Performance and Commercial Impact
"I'll Be Missing You" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1997 and reached number one, where it stayed for eleven consecutive weeks. The single sold millions of copies worldwide and was certified multi-platinum in the United States, making it one of the best-selling singles of the 1990s. The song's success was driven by its emotional tribute to the late rapper The Notorious B.I.G., combined with the familiar hook from the Sting-written original. Billboard chart archives document its sustained dominance during the summer of 1997.
On the UK Singles Chart, the track also reached number one and remained in the top 75 for a significant number of weeks. Global sales estimates place the single among the highest-selling physical and digital singles of its era. The recurring use of the sample in memorials, tribute videos, and radio programming has kept the composition in the public consciousness, generating continued performance royalties for the original writers and publishers each time the track is broadcast or streamed.
Music Rights, Licensing, and Ongoing Royalties
Performance rights organizations such as ASCAP and BMI track public performances of both the original Police composition and the Puff Daddy interpolation. When "I'll Be Missing You" is played on terrestrial radio, satellite radio, or streaming services, the underlying composition copyright generates performance royalties that flow to the registered songwriters and publishers. Mechanical royalties from streaming and physical sales are also collected, with the exact split determined by the original publishing agreements and any subsequent licensing contracts. ASCAP royalty distribution reports provide data on how frequently these works are performed in public venues and on broadcast media.
Sync licensing for film, television, and advertising further contributes to the revenue stream tied to the original composition. Because the melody is so closely associated with the 1997 hit, music supervisors frequently seek clearance for the sample, requiring negotiations with the current rights holders. The longevity of the track demonstrates how a single interpolation can sustain a songwriter's income for decades, provided the copyright is properly registered and the performing rights are monitored across global usage platforms.