Edward Christopher Sheeran, known professionally as Ed Sheeran, is a globally renowned English singer-songwriter born on 17 February 1991 in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Raised in Framlingham, Suffolk, Sheeran began writing songs at the age of eleven and independently released his first collection of work, Spinning Man, at the age of thirteen. After moving to London in 2008, he immersed himself in the city’s music scene, playing in small venues and releasing independent EPs, including You Need Me and Loose Change. A turning point in his early career came when a video he posted on SB.TV caught the attention of rapper Example, leading to a tour and a growing online following. Sheeran’s talent soon attracted praise from major figures like Elton John and features in national media.
In 2011, Sheeran released his EP No. 5 Collaborations Project, and later that year signed with Asylum Records. His debut studio album + (“Plus”) topped the UK Albums Chart and featured the hit single “The A Team.” He quickly rose to prominence, winning Brit Awards in 2012 for Best British Male Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act.
His second album × (“Multiply”) was released in 2014, topping charts globally and earning Sheeran the Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year. The album’s single “Thinking Out Loud” won two Grammy Awards in 2016. His third studio album ÷ (“Divide”) released in 2017, broke numerous records and became the best-selling album worldwide that year. The singles “Shape of You” and “Castle on the Hill” debuted at No. 1 and 2 in several countries, a first in chart history. The track “Perfect” also became a global number one, including being the UK Christmas number one.
Sheeran continued to dominate charts with his 2019 release No.6 Collaborations Project, featuring major hits like “I Don’t Care” and “Beautiful People.” His fifth studio album = (“Equals”) arrived in 2021, followed by – (“Subtract”) in May 2023 and Autumn Variations in September 2023, the latter released under his own label, Gingerbread Man Records.
With over 200 million records sold globally, Sheeran is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He holds 119 million RIAA-certified units in the U.S. and has two albums among the UK’s best-selling ever. In December 2019, the Official Charts Company named him the Artist of the Decade. As of July 2024, he is the third most-followed artist on Spotify.
Sheeran’s ÷ Tour (2017–2019) became the highest-grossing tour in history. Beyond music, he has also appeared in acting roles, including playing himself in the 2019 film Yesterday. A former student of the Academy of Contemporary Music and an alumnus of the National Youth Theatre, Sheeran was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2025.
From humble beginnings busking and self-releasing EPs to achieving international stardom, Ed Sheeran’s journey is a testament to talent, persistence, and the power of independent artistry.