Ed Sheeran, born in Halifax in 1991 and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk, began recording music in 2004 with his first release Spinning Man at age 13. He learned guitar young, wrote songs in high school, and self-released EPs including The Orange Room (2005) and Loose Change (2010), which featured 'The A-Team'. Moving to London in 2008, he performed extensively in small venues and went viral with an SB.TV session of 'You Need Me, I Don't Need You', leading to a deal with Asylum Records. His debut album + (2011) topped the UK charts and reached number five on the Billboard 200, with 'The A-Team' earning a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year. Follow-up × (2014) achieved global chart success. Later releases include = (2021) and collaboration projects like No.6 Collaborations Project (2019). He has won Brit Awards, including British Male Solo Artist in 2012. Sheeran is known for his acoustic pop style, loop pedal performances, and high-energy live shows, playing over 300 gigs in 2009 and headlining arenas like Madison Square Garden.