Disney parks' adult fans gun for the Shoulder Plush

The British musician will be back in Singapore in September as part of his Sting 3.0 World Tour

- Brooks Barnes

In recent years, Sting has been collaborating with a long list of musicians from all genres and backgrounds, from Jamaican-American reggae singer Shaggy and American hip-hop veteran Snoop Dogg to American music icons Barbra Streisand and Dolly Parton.

Despite being one of the most successful musicians in the past few decades, the 73-year-old British singer says each of these partnerships has been a learning experience for him.

"I'm the eternal student. I'm here to learn. I'm still learning about music," he tells The Straits Times in an exclusive Zoom interview from his house in Italy. "(These collaborators) always bring something new, something I hadn't discovered, something I can learn."

Sting's work with Shaggy includes 44/876 (2018), which earned a Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 2019, Sting's 17th win.

The collaborations are on brand for the performer, whose wide repertoire since the late 1970s has encompassed genres ranging from jazz and classical to new wave and opera.

Sting's music adapts easily to different artistes' styles, which makes these tie-ups with fellow music stars exciting and educational for him.

"There's a reason they're successful, and it's great to be in the same room with them."

The singer and bassist is also full of praise for the two musicians who are accompanying him on stage for his current Sting 3.0 World Tour - British guitarist and long-time collaborator Dominic Miller and London-based drummer Chris Maas. Their global jaunt includes a date in Singapore at Arena @ Expo on Sept 23.

While previous iterations of his live band have included up to seven musicians, paring it down to just three on stage - just like his former ground-breaking pop-rock band The Police - has been very exciting and fresh.

"We have to work harder, but the challenge is something that we all look forward to."