JAY-Z declined an invitation to appear on one of Ed Sheeran’s biggest hits.
The pop star revealed that he asked the billionaire rapper to appear in his 2017 single “Shape of You,” but Hov politely declined.
“We talked,” Sheeran told Rolling Stone. “I sent him the song, and he said, ‘I don’t think the song needs a rap verse,'” she explained.
In retrospect, he realizes that the decision was for the best and that the song did not require a feature. “He was most likely correct. “He’s got a fantastic ear,” Ed added. “He almost always gets it right. It was a natural and respectful pass.”
The song from Sheeran’s album Divide became a hit even without JAY-Z, spending 12 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
While Ed has never worked with JAY-Z, he did collaborate with his wife Beyoncé on a remix to “Perfect” in 2017.
JAY-Z previously discussed how he selects collaborators. “I’m asked to be on almost every song I’m on.” “I don’t ask people to be on my songs,” he said on Peacock’s “Hart to Heart.”
He admits that he declines most requests (“Way more no’s than yes’s”), but if you’re one of the lucky few who gets a JAY-Z feature, it’s free. “I don’t charge,” he admitted.
Ed, on the other hand, is preparing to release his feature-free sixth studio album – (pronounced Subtract) on May 5, which will include the lead single “Eyes Closed.”
