Billboard.com
Ed Sheeran is expected to sign with Interscope Records, according to multiple reports, marking the next chapter in the singer-songwriter’s career after ending his 15-year relationship with Warner Music Group earlier this year.
The move follows Sheeran’s announcement in May that he was leaving Warner, the label where he developed from an emerging artist into one of the world’s most commercially successful musicians. At the time, Sheeran emphasized that the decision reflected a desire for a new professional direction rather than dissatisfaction with the company.
Sheeran first signed with Asylum Records, part of Atlantic Records UK, in 2011. His debut album, ”+”, quickly established him as a breakout star, while its follow-up, “x”, cemented his global success with hit singles including “Thinking Out Loud,” “Photograph” and “Don’t.” Over the following decade, he became one of the defining pop artists of his generation, earning multiple Billboard 200 No. 1 albums and Hot 100 chart-toppers, including “Shape of You” and “Perfect.”
In announcing his departure from Warner, Sheeran reflected on the evolution of both his career and personal life, explaining that his priorities had shifted since signing as a teenager. He described the transition as a natural progression, saying he was leaving the label with appreciation for everything they had accomplished together.
Although Sheeran is changing labels, Warner Music Group will continue to benefit from his catalog. The company retains ownership of his earlier recordings and holds long-term licensing rights to his two most recent releases, “Autumn Variations” and “Play,” which were issued jointly through Sheeran’s own Gingerbread Man label and Atlantic Records.
An agreement with Interscope would place Sheeran alongside one of the music industry’s most prominent label rosters as he enters a new phase of his recording career.
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