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Ed Sheeran explains why Jay-Z politely declined the “Shape of You” feature.
Ed Sheeran has recorded successful songs with some of the biggest names in music, but he hasn’t collaborated with Jay-Z despite talking about it before Jay turned down “Shape of You” features.
The pop artist stated that he approached the billionaire rapper to appear on his 2017 single “Shape of You,” but Hov respectfully declined.
“We were in touch,” Sheeran told Rolling Stone. “I sent him the song, and he said, ‘I don’t think the song needs a rap verse.’”
In hindsight, he realizes that the decision was for the best and the song didn’t need a feature. “He was probably right. He’s got a very, very good ear,” added Ed. “He usually gets things right. It was a very natural, respectful pass.”
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Without JAY-Z, the song from Ed Sheeran’s album Divide became a smash, spending 12 non-consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
While Ed has never collaborated with JAY-Z, he did team up with his wife Beyoncé on a 2017 remix to “Perfect.”
JAY-Z has discussed how he selects collaborators. “Pretty much every song that I’m on, I’m asked to be on. I don’t ask people to be on their songs,” he told Kevin Hart on Peacock’s “Hart to Heart.”
He admits that he turns down most requests (“Way more no’s than yes’s”), but if you’re one of the lucky few to get a JAY-Z feature, it won’t cost you anything. “I never charge,” he revealed.
As for Ed, he is gearing up to release his feature-less sixth studio album – (pronounced Subtract) on May 5 featuring the lead single “Eyes Closed.”