Global music icon Ed Sheeran has officially ended his long-running partnership with Warner Music Group after spending 15 years with the label.
The singer shared the news directly with fans through his newsletter, explaining that the decision came from personal and professional changes in his life rather than any conflict with the company. Warner Music later confirmed his departure in a statement shared with Music Week.
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Ed Sheeran Explains Why He Left
In his message, Sheeran said he has been thinking about making changes in his career for a long time.
“My life is hugely different now to what it was when I was a teenager,” he wrote. “I've been feeling in my gut for a long time that a lot of things in my professional life need to change.”
The singer also clarified that there were no hard feelings behind the decision.
“This isn't a ‘disgruntled artist leaves record label' type situation,” Sheeran added.
He explained that he joined the company as a teenager with very different goals and is now moving forward as a father of two looking for a new direction.
From Small Pub Gigs To Global Fame
Sheeran first signed with Asylum Records, a Warner-owned label in the U.K., after meeting executive Ed Howard during his early days performing small gigs in London pubs.
Over the years, the partnership helped turn Sheeran into one of the biggest artists in the world. His music catalogue includes massive global hits like Shape of You, while albums like ÷ became huge commercial successes worldwide.
Reports estimate that Sheeran has sold around 200 million albums since his debut.
Despite his stadium-level success, Sheeran said he still sees himself as “a singer songwriter who plays pub gigs.”
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What Happens To His Music Now?
Although Sheeran is leaving Warner, his earlier albums will continue to remain with the company through an ongoing partnership. His newer releases have already been connected to his own Gingerbread Man label under licensing deals with Warner.
There are also rumours that Sheeran could sign a future deal with Universal Music Group, but no official announcement has been made yet.
Warner Music thanked the singer for the successful partnership, while Ed Howard described Sheeran's journey “from the sofa-surfing teenager” to a global star as something truly special.
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