Sade Turns Down Jay-Z Collaboration

Jay-Z may be one of the greatest rappers alive, but that’s not enough to convince Sade to do a collaboration. The British songstress admits she has turned down requests from prominent rappers including Hov.

In a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, Sade reveals that Jay–Z and other MCs have approached her about rapping over her beats or having her sing the hook on their records, but she has politely declined.

“I’m too scared,” she tells writer Nelson George. “They’ll find me out. It’s like The Wizard of Oz. They’ll find out there’s nothing there. As for collaborations, I’m collaborating with the band and do what we do. I see myself as a member of this band who does these songs that we write.”

If you’re one of the lucky few who does get a sample cleared, Sade says it won’t cost you much. “When it comes to sample clearances, I’m probably the cheapest chick in the west,” she muses.

Sade and her band will kick off the North American leg of their 50-city tour on June 16, starting at Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena.