According to Ed Sheeran, he tried to get Jay-Z to lay down a verse on his hit song “Shape Of You” but HOV denied the request in what Sheeran says was in the “most polite way possible.”
“We were in touch,” Sheeran explained. “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. It was a very natural, respectful pass.”
JAY-Z was absolutely right. “Shape of You” spent weeks at the top of the charts all around the world. As of 2023, the record is certified Diamond.