Ed Sheeran says he asked Jay-Z to contribute a guest verse to Shape Of You but ... trends now
Ed Sheeran has revealed that his monster hit Shape Of You almost had a blockbuster guest spot from Jay-Z.
In his cover interview with Rolling Stone, released Tuesday, the 32-year-old singer–songwriter shared that he originally tried to enlist the 53-year-old rap legend to record a verse on the song, only to be turned down by Jay-Z.
According to Sheeran, Jay-Z didn't 'think the song need[ed] a rap verse.'
The rapper's judgment seems to have been on the mark, as Shape Of You has gone on to become Sheeran's most popular tune to date since it was released in 2017 as a single from his Divide album.
'We were in touch,' Sheeran recalled in the new interview. 'I sent [Jay-Z] the song, and he said, "I don’t think the song needs a rap verse." He was probably right. He’s got a very, very good ear.'
No thanks! Ed Sheeran revealed to Rolling Stone that he had asked Jay-Z for a guest verse on his monster hit Shape Of You but was turned down; seen in December 2021 in NYC
![Strong instincts: 'We were in touch,' Sheeran recalled. 'I sent [Jay-Z] the song, and he said,](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/28/22/69221133-11912829-image-a-19_1680037323112.jpg)
Strong instincts: 'We were in touch,' Sheeran recalled. 'I sent [Jay-Z] the song, and he said, "I don’t think the song needs a rap verse." He was probably right. He’s got a very, very good ear'; seen in October 2021 in LA
'[Jay-Z] usually gets things right,' Sheeran added. 'It was a very natural, respectful pass.'
The song, which was released alongside the other Divide single Castle On The Hill, spent 12 non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and it was later certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of Ameria (RIAA), indicating sales and streaming of at leas 10 million units.
The Shape Of You has also gone on to become one of the most-streamed songs of
