Sheeran was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. He began singing at a young age and learned to play the guitar when he was 11. He released his first EP, *The Orange Room*, in 2005. In 2011, he signed with Atlantic Records and released his debut album, *+,* which reached number one in the UK and several other countries. His second album, *x* (2014), was also a commercial success, reaching number one in several countries, including the UK and the US. His third album, *÷* (2017), was his most successful album to date, reaching number one in several countries, including the UK, the US, and Australia. His fourth album, *No. 6 Collaborations Project* (2019), was a collaborative album with various artists and also reached number one in several countries.
Sheeran's music is characterized by its acoustic sound and raw lyrics. He has been credited with helping to revive interest in acoustic music and has been cited as an influence by many other artists.
In addition to his music career, Sheeran has also acted in several films and television shows. He has also established a foundation called the Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation, which supports local music initiatives in his hometown of Suffolk, England.