Global superstar Ed Sheeran has joined forces with legendary Indian artist Arijit Singh for a captivating new version of Sheeran's vibrant summer track, "Sapphire." This special collaboration, available now, adds a rich, cross-cultural dimension to the already popular song.
The partnership sees a unique linguistic exchange, with Arijit Singh contributing a verse in a blend of Hindi and Punjabi, and an English chorus. In a delightful twist, Ed Sheeran also sings a chorus in a mix of Hindi and Punjabi, creating a truly blissful fusion of languages and cultures. Both the original version of "Sapphire," released last month, and today's new remix, were crafted during joint studio sessions in Goa, featuring intricate South Asian percussion and production by Ilya Salmanzadeh, Johnny McDaid, and Savan Kotecha.
Sheeran himself shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration, describing his journey to Jiaganj Azimganj to meet Arijit as "one of my fav experiences ever in my career." He recounted a 24-hour "pilgrimage of music," which included a boat ride, deep conversations, and Arijit teaching him to sing in Punjabi and play a bit of Sitar. A late-night scooter ride with Arijit, listening to "A Prayer By The River," further cemented the bond. "It was honestly one of the most amazing days in my musical career," Sheeran stated, emphasizing that it felt like "the beginning of something bigger." He added, "I love this version of the song; it’s the one I listen to every morning with my daughters because I love Arijit’s voice, tone, flow and rhythm."
The official "Sapphire" video, launched last month, features cameos from both Arijit Singh and iconic actor Shah Rukh Khan. It depicts Sheeran performing across various Indian backdrops, from rooftops to serene beaches, bustling markets, and Bollywood backlots, culminating in a studio session with Arijit and a visit to the A.R. Rahman music school.
"Sapphire" quickly became a phenomenon upon its release, storming to number one on Spotify in India—the first English-language track to do so since 2021. Its official video has already surpassed 130 million YouTube views, and the song has generated over 1.5 billion TikTok views. Fans can look forward to more new music from Ed Sheeran with the release of his new album, "Play," on September 12, 2025.
