Ed Sheeran Reveals He Wanted Jay-Z to Collaborate on ‘Shape of You’
Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images, Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Reading Time: 2 minutes
Ed Sheeran’s 2017 hit single “Shape of You,” was an instant success, topping the charts in numerous countries around the world. However, the song could have sounded very different if Sheeran had gotten his way. In a recent interview, the British singer-songwriter revealed that he had wanted rap superstar Jay-Z to feature on the track.
Ed Sheeran Wanted Jay-Z on “Shape of You”
Ed Sheeran recently revealed some interesting insights in one of his latest interviews. One of the most surprising things he shared was that he had wanted Jay-Z to guest on his hit single “Shape of You.”
According to Sheeran, he sent the song to Jay-Z, who then replied that he didn’t think the track needed a rap verse. Despite the missed opportunity, “Shape of You” still went on to become one of Sheeran’s biggest hits.
Despite all of this, it’s hard not to wonder what “Shape of You” would have sounded like with a Jay-Z feature. Sheeran added that it was a “very natural, respectful pass” from Jay-Z, indicating that there were no hard feelings about the decision.
Given how both musicians respect each other, it’s possible that the two could work together in the future. For now, we’ll have to settle for imagining what might have been if Jay-Z had jumped on “Shape of You.”
Ed Sheeran On His Singing Style
When it comes to his concerts, Sheeran said he has no plans to abandon his guitar-plus-loop-pedal setup, which has become the heart of his shows. Despite incorporating a full band for some songs on tour, he feels that his loop pedal is a unique element that he won’t strip away.
Sheeran also touched on his belief that music genres are becoming increasingly irrelevant, stating that he doesn’t believe in them himself. Instead, he thinks there are only two genres: good and bad. He believes that kids today also don’t care about genres and are more focused on playlists, liking songs from a variety of artists regardless of their genre.
Sheeran’s interview was full of interesting tidbits about his life, music, and future plans. While we may never hear Jay-Z’s guest verse on “Shape of You,” it’s clear that Sheeran has plenty of other exciting projects in the works.
