Ed Sheeran is a 21-year-old singer-songwriter from Halifax, England. He is signed to Atlantic Records and Asylum Records and plays an acoustic genre. Sheeran gained popularity through his early EPs and online performances, leading him to be spotted by rapper Example in 2010. This exposure helped Sheeran sign with Atlantic Records in 2011. His debut album "+" was released that year and sold over 1 million copies in the UK.

2. Ed Sheeran
Name: Edward Christopher Sheeran
Age: 21
Born: Halifax- England
Occupation: Singer/Songwriter
Genre: Acoustic
Signed to: Atlantic Records & Asylum
Ed Sheeran has rapidly grown to huge success in the past year.
Having grown from an internet sensation into a double Brit
Award Winning Artist.

3. History – Early Music Career
Ed had an interest in playing the guitar form a young age
and was writing songs and playing for students at Thomas
Miller High School that he attended
He recorded his fist EP in 2005 at the age of 15, this was
called The Orange Room and led to the release of this first
two albums in 2006 and 2007.
In 2009 Ed began to work very hard in an attempt to get his
music heard. His inspiration came from James Morrison
who was reported to play 200 gigs in a year.
A determined Ed Sheeran matched this and went on to play
312 Gigs.

4. 2009/10
• In 2009 Ed produced another EP titled You Need
Me which was put onto sites such as YouTube so
that his name would spread.
• His next breakthrough came in 2010 when his
talents were spotted by rapper Example, Example
came across Ed after seeing a video posted on
SBTV. This is an online channel for young
upcoming artists to get there music heard.
Example saw Ed on this site and invite him to
come and tour with him, having noticed his
massive potential.

5. 2011…
• In January 2011 Ed Sheeran's rise in
popularity was apparent as his entirely
independent EP peaked at Number 2 in
the iTunes chart. Selling over 7,00 copies.
• It was at this point that Ed Sheeran was
signed by Atlantic Records/ Asylum.
• The summer of 2011 saw the release of
Ed Sheeran debut Single ‘A- Team’ This
reached number 3 in the charts.
• Throughout this summer Ed played many
more live performers, including various
stages at Reading and Glastonbury.

6. “+”
• Having released 5 Ep’s Ed and Atlantic Records finally released
his debut album ‘+’ On September 9th 2011.
• In the first week sold 102,000 copies and went on to be the
9th Biggest selling British album in 2011.
• Therefore being granted Triple platinum by BPI for selling
over 1,000,000 copies.

7. The BRITS
• Having released tour dates for a later tour in
2012 Ed had one the highlights of his career.
• He was nominated for 4 BRIT awards:
1. British Male Solo
2. British Breakthrough Act
3. Album of the year
4. British Single
After performing his hit ‘Lego House’ he received the BRIT for British Male Solo and
Breakthrough act of the year. Amongst the people he thanked were his record label.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnDNafI-eOU

8. Atlantic Records
• Ed Sheerans record label Atlantic are an American label who were
founded in 1947 and are well know for signing artists under the
rock ‘n’ roll, jazz and rhythm genre.
• They are independent however are part of a conglomorate as their
parent company is Warner Music.
• Other acts signed by Atlantic Records include:
1. Wiz Khalifa
2. B.o.b
3. Lupe Fiasco
4. Phil Collins
5. Jason Mraz
6. James Blunt
7. Missy Elliot

9. Asylum
• Ed is also signed by the record label Asylum. They are
another American company who were founded in
1971.
• As well as Atlantic Records they are a conglomnerate
owned by Warner Music who speciaslise in the taste of
rock and hip hop.
• They have signed the likes of:
1. Metallica
2. Bob Dylan
3. Nelly Furtado
4. Alesha Dixon