From independent indie sales to a global record-breaking juggernaut

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before he was a household name, Ed Sheeran sold music independently on his own label starting in 2005. This transition from an underground artist to one of the best-selling acts in history serves as a masterclass in building a sustainable musical empire through steady growth.

Sheeran's career trajectory is defined by a methodical climb rather than an overnight explosion. Beginning in 2005, he operated as an independent artist, releasing nine EPs to build public and critical acclaim. This period of grassroots development eventually secured his signing to Atlantic Records in January 2011. On 12 June 2011, his initial track "The A Team" premiered, entering at No. 3 within the UK Singles Chart after selling 57,607 units during its opening week.

His major label debut studio album, +, launched in September 2011 and achieved immediate commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies in its first week to reach No. 1 in the UK. By the time he released his second studio album, × (Multiply), in 2014, Sheeran had reached a new echelon of popularity. The album became the fastest-selling record of that year in the UK, shifting 180,000 copies in its opening week and eventually selling almost 1.7 million copies.

The scale of his success intensified with the release of ÷ (Divide) in March 2017. This work marked a significant achievement, shifting 672,000 copies in seven days to be the quickest-selling album by a male solo performer in Britain then. It also broke records for consecutive top 10 hits from a single album, surpassing Calvin Harris. His discography has since expanded to include eight studio albums and over 200 million records sold worldwide.

Looking forward, Sheeran's output continues to diversify through collaborations and film soundtracks. He released the No.6 Collaborations Project in 2019 and his sixth studio album, −, in May 2023. His eighth studio album, Play, is scheduled for release on September 12, 2025, supported by singles like "Azizam" and contributions to the soundtrack of the 2025 sports drama film F1.

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