In the contemporary music industry, Ed Sheeran stands as a testimony of perseverance, raw talent, and the beauty of staying true to oneself. With his distinctive ginger hair, soulful voice, and intimate lyrics, Ed’s journey from a school dropout to one of the world’s most celebrated musicians will inspire even the most hopeless person on earth.
From Small Town to Big Dreams
Born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk, Ed Sheeran’s passion for music was discovered early in his life. His musical adventure started in the church choir at the age of four. Eventually, he picked up the guitar at eleven and started writing songs during his high school years. While his talent and passion for music were indisputable, his academic journey was nothing to write home about. The young Ed struggled with stutter. He also felt out of place in the traditional school setting. Music became his refuge.
In 2007, at the youthful age of 16, the “Thinking Out Loud” singer made a bold decision. He dropped out of school and moved to London to pursue a music career. This leap of faith wasn’t without its challenges. Living in a new city, he faced the harsh realities of the music industry. Ed spent his nights performing at open mic nights and his days couch-surfing, often struggling to make ends meet. These tough experiences were the fuel behind his determination to succeed.
The Breakthrough: An EP That Changed Everything
Ed’s relentless pursuit of his dream began to bear fruit when he released his first EP, “The Orange Room,” in 2005, followed by several other independent projects. However, it was his 2011 EP, “No. 5 Collaborations Project,” that caught the attention of the music industry. The EP revealed Ed’s genius and also his unrivaled style after featuring a variety of grime artists. It also integrated acoustic rhythms with hip-hop influences.
His turning point came later that year when he released his debut studio album, “+ (Plus).”
The album’s lead single, “The A Team,” was an instant hit. As a result, it trended at number three on the UK Singles Chart and earning Ed a nomination for Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards. With this success, he was no longer just a talented musician; he was a bona fide musical star.
Love, Loss, and Personal Growth
If you think his struggles ended with his successes, think again! The pressures of the music industry and nonstop touring took a toll on his mental health. He openly discussed his battles with anxiety and substance abuse. Specifically, his drug use started at the age of 24 and he attributed it to keeping friends who used the substances. However, with support from friends, family, and his now-wife Cherry Seaborn, Ed managed to overcome these challenges.
Cherry, a former high school friend, and field hockey player, played a principal role in Ed’s life. The couple reconnected in 2015 and quickly became inseparable. Their relationship provided Ed with much-needed stability. It also provided a sense of normalcy in the middle of the chaos of his life and career. They married in a private ceremony in 2018. Thus, their love story is often cited as a source of inspiration for many of Ed’s romantic songs.
A Future of Success
Ed Sheeran’s career continued to soar with the release of his subsequent albums. His sophomore album, “x (Multiply),” released in 2014, featured hits like “Sing,” “Thinking Out Loud,” and “Photograph.” The album topped global charts. As a result, it confirmed him as one of the leading artists of his generation.
In 2017, Ed released his third studio album, “รท (Divide),” which also included chart-toppers like “Shape of You,” “Castle on the Hill,” and “Perfect.”
“Shape of You” became one of the best-selling digital singles of all time. Furthermore, the album won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. Ed’s ability to craft songs that resonate with a global audience, mixing pop, folk, and R&B elements, set him apart from his peers.
Apart from his musical success, Ed Sheeran has also diversified into various other fields. He made his acting debut with a cameo in the film “Bridget Jones’s Baby.”
In addition to that, he appeared in the popular TV series “Game of Thrones.”
His stint in acting displayed his diverse talents and willingness to go into unchartered creative waters.