Ed Sheeran to Sign With Interscope Records (Exclusive)

Global superstar Ed Sheeran is set to sign a long-term record deal with Universal Music Group’s Interscope Records, ending his 15-year tenure with Warner Music Group. The move follows the expiration of his previous contract earlier this year and marks a major acquisition for Interscope, which already boasts a roster of top-tier talent. This transition is a significant development for the music industry, as it involves one of the world's most-streamed artists moving to a new major label home to begin a fresh professional chapter.

Ed Sheeran has reached a long-term agreement to join Interscope Records, a move confirmed by sources following the conclusion of his contract with Warner Music Group (WMG) earlier this year. While the specific number of albums in the contract remains undisclosed, the signing reunites Sheeran with Interscope CEO John Janick, who previously worked with the artist during his tenure at Warner’s Elektra Records. Sheeran reportedly explored options across the major label landscape, including discussions with Sony Music, before ultimately choosing to join a roster at Interscope that includes high-profile acts like Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, and Kendrick Lamar.

As the sixth most-streamed artist of all time on Spotify and a dominant live performer, Sheeran brings immense commercial value to the Universal Music Group system. His ongoing +-=/X tour currently ranks as the third highest-grossing concert tour in history, and he maintains approximately 83 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Despite this status, his recent releases have seen a slight decline in chart dominance compared to earlier blockbusters like X and Divide. His 2023 album Subtract was his first since 2011 not to debut at number one on the Billboard charts, while subsequent releases Autumn Variations and Play also saw shorter chart runs, debuting at number four and five respectively.

Sheeran’s exit from WMG, where he was originally signed to Asylum and Atlantic in 2011, was described by the artist as an amicable shift and change rather than a dispute. In a newsletter to fans, Sheeran noted that he leaves the company with gratitude but feels a need to change his professional approach as he transitions from his teenage years to becoming a father of two. While WMG will retain his existing catalog—including massive hits like Shape of You and Thinking Out Loud—the move reflects a broader trend of established stars re-evaluating their label homes. This includes Lorde recently completing her UMG deal to go independent and Zara Larsson moving between Sony labels from Epic to RCA.