With a career spanning nearly 30 years, it’s shocking that Lil Baby collected a diamond plaque before Jay-Z. The Brooklyn-born rapper broke a number of records throughout his career, including becoming the first billionaire in hip-hop, though not a single one of his songs or albums have moved 10M units. However, that might’ve not been the case had he accepted an offer from Ed Sheeran to hop on “Shape Of You.” The British singer recently revealed that Jay-Z turned down the record, claiming that it didn’t need rap vocals.
During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the “Photograph” singer revealed Jay-Z refused to hop on the record, largely because he didn’t think it made sense. However, Sheeran said that it was a “very natural, respectful pass.” “We were in touch,” Ed Sheeran said of his attempt to get a Jay-Z feature. “I sent him 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. He usually gets things right.” Eventually, the song landed a verse from Stormzy, who would later decline a verse from Jay-Z, for the official remix.
Jay-Z & Beyoncé Assist Ed Sheeran
Though Jay-Z turned down a collaboration with the British pop star, Beyoncé previously assisted on Ed Sheeran’s single, “Perfect.” However, the power couple’s impact on Ed Sheeran is far deeper than his career. During an interview with Apple Music 1, he explained that Jay-Z and Beyoncé played a role in his relationship with his now wife, Cherry Seaborn. He explained that Jay and Bey invited him to dinner after a show in Brooklyn, where Seaborn actually joined them for dinner.
“I learned [‘Empire State Of Mind’] for a Live Lounge. And then Jay-Z and Beyoncé came to a gig that I did in Brooklyn,” Ed Sheeran recalled. “It was like the day after we’d had our first date. And she was there with my friend Martha and this guy, Foy Vance. So we went to dinner and then we went to this bar and I remember a guitar was getting passed around between me and Foy. And I remember playing that [‘Empire State of Mind’]. Five of us in a room with Jay-Z and Beyoncé. I gave Beyoncé a Jägerbomb.”