Ed Sheeran leaves Warner Music Group after 15 years

Through his newsletter sent on Friday 22 May, Ed Sheeran announced his goodbye to Warner Music Group after 15 years of collaboration. In sharing the news, the British singer-songwriter stressed that “this is not a ‘disgruntled artist leaving record label’ situation,” explaining that he remained on excellent terms with the team. In the message, the voice of “Thinking out loud” then said:

“This is the journey of a guy who started out as a teenager at a major label, with very different priorities than the man and father of two he is today. And who feels he needs a change in the way he approaches things professionally.”

Ed Sheeran had signed with Asylum Records, Warner’s British subsidiary, while in the United States his albums were released through Atlantic, another label of the group. With them the musician released his first album, “+”, in 2011, and then also released “x”, “÷”, “–”, “=” and the new beginning of the “Play” series. While his older albums belong to Warner, the rights to more recent releases, including 2023’s “Autumn Variations,” are held by his Gingerbread Man label and licensed to Warner.

In the newsletter, Sheeran also stated: “Over the last 15 years I have released a lot of music and have had huge success with that label. We built something incredible together and had life-changing experiences.” He added:

“My life today is definitely different from the one I had when I was a teenager, and for a long time I have felt inside me that many things in my professional life need to change. At heart I’m a singer-songwriter who plays in pubs. And over the course of these 15 years I’ve kind of transformed into this stadium-filling pop star. It’s an amazing thing to have happened, but also something that’s hard to really process.”

As he himself recalled in the message, Sheeran began working with Warner after a chance meeting with Ed HowardAsylum’s former A&R manager, during a concert in Notting Hill. “I was 18 and ended up having a sleepover at his and his now wife’s house. While I was there I played him a lot of music and we just talked about life and what I wanted to do,” the singer-songwriter wrote: “I honestly didn’t know at the time that he worked for a record label. I just thought he was a nice person who let me sleep on his couch. But the next day I found out who he really was and we started talking.” Howard supported Sheeran by going to his “very small gigs in pubs where no one came”, along with Ben Cook, who was fronting Asylum at the time. He then narrated: “When my debut EP ‘No. 5 Collaborations’ and they offered me a contract, I signed immediately“. And he concluded:

“I love those guys too much. I will always love Ed Howard and Asylum, and the door will always be open for the future. Thanks to everyone at Warners around the world who has worked on my projects for the last 15 years, it’s been an incredible journey. I’m excited to see where the next 15 years take me.”

For its part, the Warner Music Group team said in a statement that it was “proud” to have supported Sheeran during his “extraordinary rise over the last 15 years”. As reported by Music Week, the group added:

“As we continue to cherish his iconic catalog and look to the future, we will ensure that his music continues to touch hearts and make people dance around the world for generations. The entire Warner Music family wishes Ed the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his extraordinary artistic journey.”

Ed Howard said: “From the couch-sleeping kid I met in 2009 to the global musical icon he is today, Ed has spent the last 15 years showing the world what happens when unparalleled talent meets unwavering integrity. To have been a part of his extraordinary musical journey has been a privilege and I have learned so much from him. Beyond music, the example he sets as a mentor to other artists, an advocate for education, a father, a friend and simply as a human being He’s truly special. I feel incredibly lucky to have him in my life. Lots of love, brother. On behalf of the amazing Warner Music teams around the world who have supported him over the years, I know we will all be fully behind him as he enters this new chapter.”