Background
Kanye West and Adam Levine had first collaborated when Maroon 5 commissioned West to remix "This Love." The two later developed a friendship while sitting together on a flight to Rome for the 2004 MTV Europe Music Awards. While playing songs from his then-upcoming sophomore effort on his iPod for Levine, West came across the demo for "Heard 'Em Say", the very first track recorded for the album. "He was rhyming over it, and I had just written a hook that was so perfect for it. It was one of those natural collaborations where you're so excited because it's all very pure and very easy." West himself initially hesitated slightly, as he felt the R&B singer was a bit too popular for him, but came to be overwhelmed by the sheer prowess and quality of Levine's voice after overhearing his band rehearse backstage at the 47th Grammy Awards ceremony.
Read more about this topic: Heard 'Em Say
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