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.

‘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, “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

Polite: ‘[Jay-Z] usually gets things right,’ Sheeran added. ‘It was a very natural, respectful pass’; seen in 2015 in LA

In his genre: Most of Jay-Z’s high-profile guest verses have been on songs from other rappers. He revealed last year that he never charges for guest verses; seen in February in LA

Coming soon: Sheeran is currently set to release his fifth studio album, Subtract, in May of this year; pictured in London in February 2022