Is Ed Sheeran bad at maths or is that just his haters?

Numbers don't lie. He's the king. You don't like him. That''s still OK. But just because he's not your cup of tea, doesn't mean others can't like him and what he does.

I am so fucking done!

Person: What music are you into?

Me: Not gonna lie, I'm obsessed with Ed Sheeran. I just love his songwriting and whole work ethic "stars emojis cover my eyes" He's doing so well! Really giving pop music back its authenticity.

Person: Oh... yeah he's okay I guess... "judgemental side eye"... He just sounds the same to me

What I want to reply with: FUUUUUUUUUCCKKKK YOU YOU STUDIP PIECE OF ARGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHKJHABC LAEKRZDKGJNL

What the calm and vaguely educated me replies with: Thats cool, I just think his lyrics are insane, plus it's pop music so it's aimed at the masses you know.

What I think I look like: Drops the mic, smacks the persons vanilla soy latte (extra hot) out of their hand and throwing my leather jacket over my shoulder walks away in slow motion with a wind machine and Rock You Like A Hurricane -Scorpions, blasting in the background.

What I really look like: Me ... just awkward... quiet in situations... let's be honest, a little curvy. Well fuck.

Moving away from the dangers of self discovery and back to whatever I was talking about before... pop music. Literally meaning popular music and originally whatever music was most popular at the time. And yes, Sheeran comes under that massive umbrella term.

It's no secret that Ed Sheeran is arguably (and you know I'm gonna argue) the biggest male pop act in the world right now. Ever since 2011, when The A Team was released, Sheeran's steady climb up the ladder of success, has been an unchallenged phenomenon.

From winning Best British Solo Act 2014, 2015 & 2017 at Radio One's Teen Awards, to Divide breaking the record for most streams in a week with 283 million plays on Spotify... you have to admit, the man is doing something right!

Despite these achievements, Sheeran, like all artists in the mainstream media, does not come without his haters. But why is the average Sheeran skeptic such a harsh critic in comparison to other the haters of other artists?

His Image

To start with, it probably has something to do with his Mr Average Joe, do no wrong persona. And you're a fool if you don't realise that's what it is. Yes, he's probably still a very nice guy, however it's also his media angle, his play, an image. Just like when you picture Post Malone, you're imagining him smoking a cigarette, driving around in a Bentley whilst holding a bottle of Hennesy, you'll picture Ed Sheeran at the pub having a pint with some friends. At that's what irritates people about him most; not only is he stupidly talented, but he's a nice guy as well... most people can't take it and jealousy is a bitch. So even if they do like a song of his it'll be disregarded out of disdain. I mean I love him and I get where the haters are coming from! 2015 at the Brit awards, he's off his face on MDMA and all the usually viscous Daily Mail has to say is 'Someone had a fun night!' How he's portrayed himself to the mainstream media is his get out of jail free card. And frankly, it's genius.

His Music

Possibly the number one reason for disliking pop music is the tired old phrase it all sounds the same. Urgggggghhh! I am so sick of people thinking that just because something is simple it's not good.

Songs that are really simple (but are still great):

ABC - Jackson 5

Let It Be - The Beatles

I Love Rock ‘N Roll - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

Lean On Me - Bill Withers

Love Yourself - Justin Bieber

Five examples of great songs that aren't musically complex at all. If an idea works, it works and if you think you're too cool to enjoy the pleasure of simple music then that's a shame. And perhaps you should look at why that is. But I for one am so done with people telling me my taste in music is bad just because I like pop music that everyone listens to.

End

Despite all of this, in the end it's up to you. However please remember the following:

Pop is meant to be pop. It's aimed at the masses and that's Ed Sheeran's audience. So even if you're not his biggest fan, don't hate on people who are.