Dustin Gandof
In 2017, Ed Sheeran released his hit single “Shape of You” which went on to become one of the biggest songs in streaming history. However, what many fans did not know was that Sheeran originally wanted rapper Jay-Z to be featured on the track. In recent interviews, Sheeran shared his disappointment about Jay-Z turning down the offer and provided some insight into the reason why.
According to Sheeran, he reached out to Jay-Z to see if he would be interested in collaborating on “Shape of You.” However, Jay-Z respectfully declined the offer. Sheeran said that he understood Jay-Z’s position as the rapper is known for being particular about the songs he chooses to be associated with.
Despite the rejection, Sheeran stated that he was not too disappointed as he was thrilled to have the opportunity to even approach someone of Jay-Z’s caliber. He also added that he did not want to force Jay-Z into doing something he wasn’t comfortable with, as he would rather have Jay-Z on a song that he truly believed in and was excited about.
Moreover, this is not the first time Sheeran has collaborated with Jay-Z. In 2017, Sheeran worked with the rapper on his song “Eraser” from his album ÷. The song was met with critical acclaim and received praise for the chemistry between Sheeran and Jay-Z.
Overall, the story of Jay-Z turning down a chance to feature on “Shape of You” shows the importance of artistic integrity and the willingness to stand behind one’s decisions. It also highlights the high standards that artists like Jay-Z set for themselves, which might not always serve well for others. Nonetheless, the collaboration between Sheeran and Jay-Z on “Eraser” is a reminder of the magic that can happen when two talented artists come together, regardless of how unlikely it may seem.
