The 2017 album "÷" (Divide) by Ed Sheeran, released on Atlantic Records UK, cemented his status as a global superstar. The album is known for its blend of genres, including pop, folk, and hip-hop influences, and spawned multiple record-breaking singles.
- The album was a commercial behemoth, topping the charts in 13 countries and selling millions worldwide. Lead singles "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill" were released ahead of the album in January 2017, with "Shape of You" becoming one of the best-selling digital singles of all time. It was the best-selling album of 2017 in the US and UK, and won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album in 2018.
- Sheeran took a year-long hiatus from public life before releasing "÷", during which he worked on new music and traveled. The album's recording process involved multiple studios, with sessions taking place in London, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Guest features were notably absent, a deliberate choice by Sheeran to maintain the album's cohesive sound.
- Upon release, "÷" broke numerous streaming and sales records globally. It became the fastest-selling album by a male solo artist in the UK and the most-streamed album in a single day on Spotify. The album's success led to a massive world tour, which became the highest-grossing concert tour of all time.
Ed Sheeran is a British singer-songwriter from Halifax, West Yorkshire, who achieved mainstream global fame with his folk-pop and acoustic songwriting. At the time of "÷" (Divide), Sheeran was at the peak of his powers, having recently dominated charts worldwide with his pre-release singles.
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