Ed Sheeran leaves Warner Music after 15 year stint with label
Sheeran explained that he "needs a shift and change in the way he does things professionally”
By Nick Reilly
Ed Sheeran has left Warner Music after 15 years with the label and eight full-length albums, confirming the news in a statement to fans.
“This isn’t a ‘disgruntled artist leaves record label’ type situation,” Sheeran wrote in his newsletter missive. “This is a boy who started as a teenager on the company with different priorities, to the father of 2 man who exists now, who feels like he needs a shift and change in the way he does things professionally.”
The news was independently confirmed by MusicWeek.
Sheeran has sold a staggering 200 albums since releasing his 2011 debut Plus (+) on the label. He was signed to the label’s subsidiary Asylum Records in the UK, with his albums released through Warner’s Atlantic label in the US.
His earlier albums are owned by Warner, while the rights to his later work is held by Sheeran’s own Gingerbread Man label and licensed to Warner. Warner have confirmed that the early catalogue will remain with the label and a long-term distribution deal has been established for the rest.
“I met Ed Howard from Asylum records at a show in Notting Hill when I was 18 and I ended up crashing at his and his now wife’s house,” said Sheeran’s statement.
“Whilst there I played him a bunch of music, and just chatted about life and what I wanted to do. I honestly didn’t know at the time he worked at a record label, I thought he was just someone cool who was letting me crash on his sofa. But the next day I found out who he was, and we started chatting. He came to so many of those small gigs, with Ben Cook who ran Asylum at the time. All the tiny tiny pub gigs no one came to, they came to. So when ‘No.5 collaborations’ [Sheeran’s independently released debut EP] came out, and I was offered a deal, I signed instantly. I love those guys so much.
“Over the last 15 years, I’ve put out so much music and had so much success with that company. We’ve built something amazing together and enjoyed such life changing stuff happening to us. My life is hugely different now to what it was when I was a teenager, and I’ve been feeling in my gut for a long time that a lot of things in my professional life need to change. I am, underneath it all, a singer songwriter who plays pub gigs. And I’ve sorta morphed into this pop star who plays stadiums over 15 years, it’s a super amazing thing to have happened but also a lot to get your head around.
“I decided to leave Asylum / Warner last month. I leave the company with SO much love and gratitude for everything we have achieved together. This isn’t a ‘disgruntled artist leaves record label’ type situation. This is a boy who started as a teenager on the company with different priorities, to the father of 2 man who exists now, who feels like he needs a shift and change in the way he does things professionally. I love Ed Howard forever, I love Asylum forever, and the door is always open for the future. Thank you everyone across Warner worldwide who has worked on my projects over the last 15 years, it’s been an incredible journey. Excited to see where the next 15 years takes me. Loads of love to everyone x.”
In a statement per Variety, Ed Howard said: “From the sofa-surfing teenager I met in 2009 to the global music icon he is today, Ed has spent the last 15 years showing the world what happens when unmatched talent meets unwavering integrity.
“Being able to play a part in his extraordinary musical journey has been a privilege and I’ve learnt so much from him.
“Beyond the music, the example he sets as a mentor to other artists, a champion for education, a father, a friend and simply as a human being is truly special. I feel incredibly grateful to have him in my life. Big love brother.
“On behalf of the wonderful Warner Music teams around the world that championed him over the years, I know we all stand squarely in his corner as Ed steps into his next chapter.”
In a label-wide statement, Warner Music said: “Warner Music Group is proud to have supported Ed through his discovery and remarkable rise over the past 15 years and grateful for his continued partnership. As we steward his iconic catalogue into the future, we’ll ensure that his music will touch hearts and move feet around the world for generations to come. Everyone in the Warner Music family wishes Ed the very best as he embarks on the next chapter of his extraordinary artistic journey.”
Ed Sheeran’s last album came in the form of 2025’s Play.