“Making and finishing Play in India was such a fun experience”
Inspired by Ed Sheeran‘s deeply transformative and eye-opening journey to India, his latest remixed EP, Play – The Remixes, was born out of the rich cultural experiences and creative connections he made during his trip. “Making and finishing Play in India was such a fun experience,” Sheeran shared in a statement on his latest trip overseas. “Being there over the last decade through touring, I’ve met lots of local artists along the way, and I’ve been introduced to all types of music and cultures. I’ve loved this collaboration process so much and I wanted to represent as much as I could on this EP.”
Play – The Remixes EP features Ed Sheeran reimagining four tracks from his original Play album, highlighting exciting collaborations with some of South Asia’s most renowned artists, including Hanumankind, Dhee, Santhosh Narayanan, Karan Aujla, Jonita, and Arijit Singh. The EP’s vibrant and diverse sound is further enhanced by the inventive production skills of ILYA, Johnny McDaid, Savan Kotecha, FRED, and Elvira Anderfjärd, injecting fresh energy and depth into each remix.
Throughout his month-long stay in India, Sheeran formed meaningful relationships with several talented collaborators featured on the EP, including the renowned artist Arijit Singh. Together, they crafted the global sensation Sapphire, a track that has resonated with millions worldwide and has impressively amassed over half a billion streams across various platforms. “Everyone already knows the story to this but going to Jiaganj Azimganj with my dad to create this with Arijit is one of my favourite memories in my musical career,” he shared on working with Arijit Singh.
“I met Jonita 2024 when I played in Mumbai and then got to do some shows with her
the following year when I came back for tour,” he shared on his Heaven collaboration with Jonita. “I’m a fan. I love her voice, the tone, the softness. This was the perfect tune for us to do together and it’s also the first Hindi song I have released. It’s an honour to do it with her – what a talent.”
Working with the acclaimed and widely celebrated Punjabi artist Karan Aujla, Sheeran unveiled the bright and flashy music video for his track Symmetry. “Karan is culture, and I love the movement he’s making with Ikky at the moment. It’s been so cool watching the thing he’s built and becoming a part of that world and journey,” Sheeran shared on his collaboration with Karan. “He taught me the Punjabi parts on this song in the studio, and we got to shoot an amazing video for it. I feel like this is the beginning of our collaborative journey, and I’m so excited to create more.”
Directed by the talented Liam Pethick, the Symmetry video features an electrifying, high-energy performance by Ed Sheeran, Karan Aujla, and the globally renowned dance crew The Quick Style, delivering an unforgettable experience for fans worldwide.
“I wanted to represent South India on this EP and the beautiful Tamil language“
“I love Hanumankind and got the opportunity to meet him at Coachella and catch his show. I was obsessed with the energy and feel of it all,” he shared on linking up with Hanumankind, Dhee and Santhosh Narayanan for his Don’t Look Down remix. “We connected then and we have since been speaking about working together, then this idea came up. Santhosh is one of the greatest film composers and introduced me to Dhee who is such an amazing talent and voice. I wanted to represent South India on this EP and the beautiful Tamil language, and they have done such an amazing job in fusing it together.”
Ed Sheeran’s latest remixed project has made a powerful global impact, reflecting his profound admiration for Indian culture and Punjabi music. This fusion celebrates the vibrant diversity of sounds while bridging cultural divides, introducing diverse musical traditions to a broader audience. Fans worldwide eagerly anticipate Sheeran’s future global collaborations as he continues to blend genres and honor multicultural influences in his music.
Play – The Remixes EP by Ed Sheeran is out now – listen here.
