Ed Sheeran’s cousin has been left ‘shocked and disappointed’ after he was threatened with legal action by the singer’s record label, Daily Mail reports.
Ed Sheeran’s cousin, aspiring rapper Jethro, 42, – known by his stage name Alonestar – had planned for the cover of Raise Em Up to be of him and Ed, 33, – but was told he must remove the Shape Of You Hitmaker’s face and name by Warner Music.
Jethro recorded Raise Em Up with Ed, 33, in 2010 and has released 21 mixed versions of the song on Spotify.
‘I was super disappointed in him. Even my lawyers were shocked how he could do this to family,’ Jethro told The Sun.
‘But it’s OK. I’m doing great, working on my new album. I wish him the best, just far away from me.’
Jethro has collaborated with several famous musicians, including 2 Pac, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg and Michael Jackson.
He has also featured on Ed Sheeran’s singles including Move On, Pause, and You Need Me, I Don’t Need You.
Ed, meanwhile, is ranked the seventh wealthiest with a fortune of £300m, helped by his fast-selling sixth album Subtract.
With some of his vast wealth, Ed has bought a minority stake in Ipswich Town Football Club.
Ed – who is a life-long fan of the team – has sponsored Ipswich since 2021, and has now agreed a deal to acquire a 1.4 percent stake in the club.
He said in a statement: ‘I am really excited to have bought a small percentage of my hometown football club.
‘It’s any football fan’s dream to be an owner of the club they support, and I feel so grateful for this opportunity.’
Ipswich have enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years, and Ed can’t wait to see them in action in the Premier League.
He added: ‘I have lived in Suffolk since I was three years old and, while I travel the world and sometimes feel like an outsider in big cities, Suffolk and Ipswich have always made me feel part of the community and protected.
‘It’s such a joy to be a fan of Ipswich Town. There are ups and downs but football is all about taking the highs and the lows.
‘I’m not a voting shareholder or a board member, this is just me putting some money into the club I love and them returning the gesture, so please don’t get onto me with signing suggestions or tactics to play.’