Ed Sheeran
Biography
Ed Sheeran is one individual not to shy away from a hard days graft in order to get to where he wants to be. After reading an interview with legend JIM MORRISON stating he performed 200 gigs in a year, Ed wanted to trump that, and trump he did, knocking out a formidable 312 in 2009.
With unrelenting willingness and sheer devotion, Ed has gained notice from some of the industries top dogs. Posting a video on SB TV drew the attention of rapper EXAMPLE, subsequently leading the two touring together. With momentum gathering, Sheeran hopped the pond to LA, playing open mic nights before getting spotted by Jamie Foxx, who openly invited him to stay and record at his house for the duration of his stay.
His formidable devotion also gained attention from mainstream publications, even ELTON JOHN has displayed interest in the 21 year old.
It is his connections in the underground grime scene however that are a cause for discerning interest. His eighth and final independent release "No.5 Collaborations Project" saw artists such as WILEY, DEVLIN and GHETTS all making fine contributions.
Perhaps it is his ethereal fusion of mellow folk acoustic grime that has aroused curiosity amongst world wide record labels or his A list following, but if there's one thing to be sure of, he has undeniably earned it.
Ed Sheeran signed to Atlantic records at the beginning of the year and plans to release his first album with them titled "+" in August.
Reviews
For an artist on the precipice of mainstream recognition, No.5 Collaborations Project is arguably the most anti-commercial project to emerge from someone at that level. Yet Ed Sheeran’s ode to Grime, dystopia and family is invigorating and powerful, which challenges the notions of what an artist of his genre (and appearance) should produce.
Whilst the US Hip Hop scene have witnessed artists such as Bon Iver and Dan Auerbach inject their ‘soul’ sound to the genre, Sheeran does the same here; providing the wails and cries which many Grime artists have needed for some time. The EP which solidifies his ‘One To Watch’ tag, Ed Sheeran, on pure talent alone, remains one of this year’s most promising talents.
