Talent
Fastest-Selling UK Album by a Male Artist
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World Record Holder
Ed Sheeran (UK)
Fastest-Selling UK Album by a Male Artist — ÷ (Divide)
On 16 March 2017, Ed Sheeran made music history when his third studio album, ÷ (Divide), debuted at number one on the UK charts with an extraordinary 672,000 units in its opening week — combining physical sales, digital downloads, and streaming metrics to shatter records and redefine success in the modern era of music consumption.
“Ed Sheeran’s ÷ (Divide) set a new benchmark for what a male artist can achieve in a single week — 672,000 units that rewrote the record books.”
The release also established a new standard in the digital streaming era, generating 79,000 album streams in its opening week alone. World Records Authority is pleased to honor Ed Sheeran for this historic achievement, which remains a cornerstone in modern music history and a testament to the global reach of one of Britain’s most beloved artists.