Ed Sheeran: Jay-Z Turned Down ‘Shape of You’ Feature: ‘Respectful Pass’
“Shape of You” was never meant to take on another shape for Ed Sheeran. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Sheeran revealed his massive 2017 hit almost featured Jay-Z but was respectfully shot down.
The 32-year-old singer-songwriter told the publication about approaching Jay-Z. “We were in touch. I sent him the song, and he said, ‘I don’t think the song needs a rap verse.'” Sheeran added that Jay-Z “was probably right.” Giving the Roc Nation founder his props, he added, “He’s got a very, very good ear. He usually gets things right. It was a very natural, respectful pass.”
RELATED: Ed Sheeran Teases Upcoming ‘Subtract’ Album
This isn’t the first time Ed has ventured out of his own genre to collaborate with other artists. He’s worked with Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Meek Mill, Young Thug, N.E.R.D., Eminem, Chance The Rapper and PnB Rock, the list goes on. Besides collaborations, Sheeran also hangs out with rappers all the time, including Snoop Dogg, who recently gave him a Death Row chain. He has also been seen pictured hanging out with Kodak Black, Meek Mill and Burna Boy.
Snoop Dogg gives Ed Sheeran a Death Row chain pic.twitter.com/FJMuPmuB0v
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) March 5, 2023
With Sheeran’s new album Subtract out soon on May 5, he is feeling the danger of achieving a new brand of “musical coolness.” He knows there’s a chance critics will like this one, which worries him “because all my biggest records, they hate.” He recently dropped the music video for “Eyes Closed” last week, the third song of the album.
As we’ve previously reported, Sheeran had to appear in court last year after being accused of stealing parts of a song for “Shape of You.” Though he was subsequently cleared of the accusations the following month, Ed said the claims were “so damaging.” He added that in the song-writing community, there are “only so many notes and very few chords used in pop music. Coincidences are bound to happen if 60,000 songs are released every day.”
