Ed Sheeran Announces Departure from Warner Music Group After 15 Years

Ed Sheeran has officially announced his departure from Warner Music Group, ending a 15-year tenure that established him as one of the most successful recording artists of the modern era. The singer-songwriter shared the news with fans on Friday, May 22, 2026, via an email newsletter, confirming he has moved on from the label he has called home since the beginning of his professional career.

A Partnership Defined by Growth

Sheeran’s exit marks a significant transition for both the artist and the record label. In his statement, which was also shared with Music Week and obtained by Billboard, Sheeran emphasized that the decision was not born out of conflict. Instead, he described the move as a natural evolution for an artist who has grown from a teenage musician into a father of two.

“I’ve decided to leave Asylum/Warner last month,” Sheeran wrote. “I leave the company with SO much love and gratitude for everything we have achieved together.”

Over the course of his 15-year run, Sheeran achieved historic commercial milestones. According to Luminate, he has generated 25.9 million equivalent album units in the United States since his 2011 debut, a figure bolstered by more than 32 billion streams and 5.8 million album sales. His chart history includes eight top-five albums on the Billboard 200—four of which reached No. 1—and 60 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, including two chart-topping hits.

Catalog and Future Strategy

While Sheeran moves forward as an independent artist, Warner Music Group will retain his catalog of major hits. The label also maintains long-term licenses for his two most recent albums, 2023’s Autumn Variations and 2025’s Play. Both of those projects were released through Sheeran’s own label, Gingerbread Man, in partnership with Atlantic Records.

Sheeran’s career trajectory has seen him evolve from playing slight pub gigs to headlining stadiums worldwide. His 2017 single “Shape of You” became a defining track of the decade, spending 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remaining on the chart for 59 weeks. Other notable successes include the No. 1 single “Perfect” and chart-topping albums such as x, No. 6 Collaborations Project, = and ÷ (Divide).

Key Takeaways from the Transition

• End of an Era: Sheeran spent 15 years with Warner Music Group, the only record company he has worked with during his professional career.
• Amicable Exit: Both the artist and the label have characterized the departure as a positive transition, with Sheeran expressing gratitude for their shared history.
• Catalog Retention: Warner Music Group continues to hold the rights to Sheeran’s extensive catalog of hits.
• Independent Path: Sheeran has not yet announced his specific plans for future music releases or potential new professional partnerships.

As Sheeran enters this new phase of his career, he remains one of the music industry’s most prominent figures. While the details of his future release strategy remain under wraps, his transition to independence is viewed by industry observers as a major shift in the current music landscape.