Edward Christopher Sheeran (born 17 February 1991) is an English singer-songwriter. Born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk, he began writing songs at around age eleven. In early 2011, he independently released the extended play "No. 5 Collaborations Project" and later that year signed with Asylum Records. Sheeran's debut studio album, "+" ("Plus"), was released in September 2011 and reached number one on the UK Albums Chart. It featured his first hit single, "The A Team".