Ed Sheeran's cousin accuses star of trying to ruin him

by · Mail Online

Charity begins at home, they say.

But an almighty row between Ed Sheeran and one of his relatives has boiled over with his cousin launching an extraordinary online rant claiming the £375million megastar is trying to ruin him.

Jethro Sheeran, a Bristol rapper, has accused Ed of personally ordering his record label Warner Music to threaten him with legal action - calling him a 'silver spoon weirdo' and urging fellow performer Stormzy to 'have a word' with him.

The row centres on his claims that Ed personally ordered Warner to force Jethro to remove both his name and face from the artwork of a remix of one of their past collaborations. 

Jethro, who uses the stage name Alonestar, used to call the British star his 'brother' - but today he declared: 'Ed. I’m not a fan, can’t you just live your life? Leave me alone to do my thing and you do yours'.

Jethro Sheeran used to call his cousin Ed his 'brother', but they have fallen out over music
Jethro, a rapper who uses the name Alonestar, has written and performed with Ed but a remix of one of their songs has led to a row between them and with Warner Music
Jethro Sheeran's message for his cousin to leave him alone and urged Stormzy to intervene
BEFORE: Aspiring rapper Jethro, 42, - known by his stage name Alonestar - had planned for the cover to be of Raise Em Up to be of him and Ed, 33 (pictured) and Ed's name
AFTER: He replaced Ed's head with his own Alonestar logo and name with a parental advisory warning

The family row boiled over in September when Warner Music demanded that he remove Ed's face and name from the artwork of Raise Em Up - a song they recorded together 14 years ago. 

The 42-year-old complied but said he and his lawyers were 'shocked' Ed would 'could do this to family'.

And today MailOnline can reveal that Jethro has poured petrol on the flames again in an outspoken Facebook post where he said he had to tell the 'truth' about his famous cousin.

Not only did he claim that Ed Sheeran ordered the legal warning by Warner Music, he claims that the record label's own lawyer was 'shocked' by the decision. 

And he appears to suggest that it wasn't just artwork that had to change, Jethro has accused Ed of having 'took [sic] down all my songs'.

'I’m so sick of lying and holding the truth back. Everyone blames lawyers and managers. Warner Music UK lawyer was also shocked as my lawyers why she was in this case activated by Ed Sheeran.

'It was all Ed. I don’t care anymore , I’m not gonna lie for him', he said.

He accused Ed of taking down 'all my songs'.

'Those songs helps my daughter my mother, our Sheeran family, be safe and eat and survive, it’s him, disgusting and disgraceful and I write and produced the songs'.

Urging his more famous cousin to leave him alone he wrote: 'Go do a pop tour with someone please bro.. go with Stormzy... I know a lot .. Edward , don’t trip anymore , leave me alone to do my thing and you do yours. Storms have a word with this silver spoon weirdo ..god bless all'.

MailOnline has contacted Mr Sheeran and Warner Music for comment. 

Ed Sheeran's cousin says he has been left 'shocked and disappointed' after he was threatened with legal action by the singer's record label
Jethro has shared a number of emails from Warner Music
Jethro claims emails like this prove Ed personally pursued him

Jethro's plans for the new cover of Raise Em Up to be of him and Ed, 33, are in tatters. They recorded it together in 2010. 

Since then Alonestar has released 21 mixed versions of Raise Em Up on Spotify. It also featured in the 2013 movie All Stars.

Ed Sheeran also appeared in one of his music videos, wearing a hoodie and using a crowbar to smash up a vehicle. Jethro also featured on Ed Sheeran's singles Move On, Pause, and You Need Me, I Don't Need You.

Jethro has collaborated with several famous musicians, including 2 Pac, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg. 

Jethro affectionately called Ed 'cuzzie' and there are countless pictures of them together with their family on social media - but it is clear that their relationship has broken down.

The two cousins together in happier times
Alonestar with Nicole Scherzinger

While Jethro claims Ed is threatening his livelihood, the popstar's own wealth continues to grow.

In May the Shape Of You singer was crowned the richest young musician in the UK with £340 million.

The next wealthiest UK pop star under the age of 40 is former One Direction member Styles, 30, who made his £175 million through music and film appearances.

With some of his vast wealth, Ed has recently bought a minority stake in Ipswich Town Football Club, at a time when the team's fortunes have soared on and off the pitch.

Ipswich are back in the Premier League and beat Spurs 2-1 in their most recent match and play Manchester United on Sunday at a game the star will likely attend. 

And reports have now claimed that Sheeran also played a major role in Ipswich's summer business after convincing one player to sign for the club. 

Speaking at Soccerex in Miami, Florida, Ipswich CEO Mark Ashton said: 'He's a local man, a global superstar, sponsor of the football club and a shareholder and now officially a part of our recruitment team!

'In the summer we were trying to persuade one particular player to join the football club and realised very quickly that he was an Ed Sheeran fan.

Ed Sheeran reportedly played a role in Ipswich Town securing one of their summer signings
Sheeran supposedly called the player prior to joining Taylor Swift on stage in summer
The player wasn't named but it was said they're 'scoring a lot goals' (Pictured: Ipswich forwards Sammie Szmodics, left, and Liam Delap, right)

'Ed jumped on a zoom call with him at the training ground just before he stepped on stage with Taylor Swift and hopefully that was a key part in getting the player over the line.'

Ashton refused to name the player in question however he did reveal: 'He's certainly scoring a few goals'.

That likely means the player is either Liam Delap, who has six league goals this year and is bring tipped as Harry Kane's future England replacement, or Sammie Szmodics, who has three goals in the top-flight and is playing regularly for Ireland.

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.'