Ed Sheeran is set to sign a record deal with Interscope, marking the end of a more than 15-year tenure at Warner Music Group (WMG) and a move to the Universal Music Group (UMG) family.
The agreement with Interscope is expected to be a long-term arrangement, though specific terms have not been disclosed. Sheeran had also explored a potential deal with Sony.
Interscope CEO John Janick previously worked with Sheeran during his time leading Warner’s Elektra Records. WMG will retain ownership of Sheeran’s existing catalog, including global hits such as “Shape of You” and “Thinking Out Loud.”
In a message to fans, Sheeran addressed the move: “I leave [WMG] with SO much love and gratitude for everything we have achieved together. This isn’t a ‘disgruntled artist leaves record label’ type situation. This is a boy who started as a teenager on the company with different priorities, to the father of 2 man who exists now, who feels like he needs a shift and change in the way he does things professionally.”
