Ed Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter and musician known for his melodic pop and acoustic songs. He was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and spent his childhood in Framlingham, Suffolk. Sheeran started writing music when he was about eleven years old, showing an early interest in songwriting and performing. In 2011, Sheeran released the No. 5 Collaborations Project, an extended play that he distributed independently. Later that year, he signed a recording contract with Asylum Records, which helped launch his professional music career. Since then, he has gained international recognition for his work.