Who is Ed Sheeran, musical prodigy release a new work after 18 months?

Perhaps when it comes to the name "Ed Sheeran", people would think of a male singer with a soft voice performing a lot of ballad songs.

Who is Ed Sheeran, musical prodigy release a new album after 18 months?

Ed Sheeran. Photo: The New York Times

Who is "Ed Sheeran" - a musical prodigy?

Edward Christopher "Ed" Sheeran is a famous English singer and songwriter, who has won the hearts of people all over the world with his melodic voice. According to the famouspeople.com, he is an occasional rapper and actor as well. His popularity increased especially after the release of his first album ‘+’ and after a guest appearance was made by him on Taylor Swift's fourth studio album 'Red.’

Ed Sheeran's Early Life and Education

Ed Sheeran was born on 17 February 1991 in Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK, and started showing interest in music from quite a young age. His father John was an art curator and a lecturer while his mother Imogen was a cultural publicist who later became a jewelry designer.

From an early age, Ed started playing the guitar as well as singing in the local church. His father also used to take him to various musical concerts which inspired him to a great extent. According to him, Van Morrison's studio album ‘Irish Heartbeat’ inspired him the most, and made him decide to choose a career in music. Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan were some of the people who inspired him in his early years.

He studied at Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham. Later, he also studied music with the help of ‘Access to Music’, a UK-based independent training provider. He joined the National Youth Theatre when he was a teenager.

From his teenage days, he had started recording CDs and selling them. At the age of 14, he released ‘The Orange Room’ and also ‘Spinning Man’, both regarded as important works of his early years.

Photo: Soundcloud

Ed Sheeran's Career

Ed Sheeran released two albums: one named after himself in 2006, and another one named ‘Want Some?’ in 2007. In 2008, he moved to London.

He went to Los Angeles in April 2010 for a poetry night. After his performance, Jamie Foxx, the famous American actor and comedian, who was quite impressed by him, allowed him to use his recording studio. Slowly Sheeran’s fan-base started growing both online and offline. Later he self-released two Extended Plays: ‘Ed Sheeran: Live at the Bedford’ and ‘Songs I wrote with Amy.’

He released another Extended Play ‘No. 5 Collaborations Project’ in January 2011. It also starred rappers such as James Davlin and Richard Cowie.

In April 2011, he made an appearance in the TV music show ‘Later… with Jools Holland’ to perform his debut single, ‘The A Team’ which was released later as a digital download. It became a huge hit, selling over 58,000 copies in the first week itself. It also became one of the top ten songs in several countries such as Australia, Japan, Norway and New Zealand.

His second single ‘You need me, I don’t need You’, which released in August 2011, also became quite popular. His third single ‘Lego Single’ did well too, reaching the top five in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK. It also entered the top 50 in several other countries.

It was after the release of his album ‘+’ (plus) on September 12, 2011, that he rose to international fame. It stood at number one in several countries. Within six months, it sold 1,021,072 copies in the UK alone. It also reached the top five in several countries. His amazing performance impressed Taylor Swift, and she later worked with him on a single ‘Everything Has Changed.’

He released his second album ‘x’ (multiply) on 23 June 2014. It featured tracks produced by the well-known American record producer Rick Rubin and professional rapper Benny Blanco. It peaked at number one not only in the UK Albums Chart but in the US Billboard 200 as well. In December 2016, he announced that he was returning with his third album ‘÷’ (divide), which would be released on 3 March 2017.

Ed Sheeran's Awards

People's Choice Awards

2015	Favorite Male Artist	Winner
2015	Favorite Album	Winner

Grammy Awards

2018	Best Pop Solo Performance	Winner
2018	Best Pop Vocal Album	Winner
2016	Song of the Year	Winner
2016	Best Pop Solo Performance	Winner

Ed Sheeran releases new song 'Afterglow' after more than 1 year

Out of nowhere, Ed Sheeran has returned with his first new song in a year and a half, titled ‘Afterglow’. ‘Afterglow’ marks Sheeran’s first musical delivery since his 2019 studio album No. 6 Collaborations Project, which saw him link up with Justin Bieber, Stormzy, Camila Cabello, Cardi B and more. It is reported by the múIn a statement to fans, Sheeran wrote, “Hey guys. ‘Afterglow’ is a song I wrote last year that I wanted to release for you. “It’s not the first single from the next album, it’s just a song I love, and hope you love too. Enjoy ! Have a safe and happy festive break and New Year’s. Back to dad land for me now, ciao x”

While this marks the first time we’ve heard from Sheeran in a while, we know he’s busy working seeing as our very own Amy Shark linked up with him for a few writing sessions at the beginning of the year. On top of designing the cover art for the song himself, Sheeran has also shared a one-take video of him performing the new track, which you can watch below.

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