Ed Sheeran Delivers Love Letter to India on New Song "Sapphire," His "Favorite" Track on Upcoming Album ‘Play'
Yara Sameh
Ed Sheeran's love for India showcased on his new song 'Sapphire,' which dropped alongside an adventurous music video Thursday.
On the effervescent dance track, the British pop star mixes percussion elements of traditional Indian music with his signature absurdly catchy melodies, singing about never wanting to stop dancing with a lover whose aura shimmers just like the blue diamond for which the song is named.
'We are surrounded but I can only see/ The lights, your face, your eyes/ Exploding like fireworks in the sky,' Sheeran sings on the track.
Adding flair to the recording are vocals and sitar provided by Indian artist Arijit Singh, who also appears with the four-time Grammy winner in the 'Sapphire' music video.
Filmed across various locations in India during Sheeran's tour through the country earlier this year, the visual keeps the English musician in the center of the frame as he walks through bustling streets, explores beaches, visits tourist spots, hangs out with locals and sings with a team of youth soccer players.
His companion in those sites is often Singh, with whom Sheeran sings in Punjabi, 'ਚਮ-ਚਮ ਚਮਕੇ ਸਿਤਾਰੇ ਵਰਗੀ' — which translates to 'They sparkle just like stars,' according to YouTube's captions.
''Sapphire' was the first song I finished for Play that made me know where the album was heading,' wrote the 'A Team' singer in a statement, referring to his September-slated LP. 'It's why I finished the recording process in Goa surrounded by some of the best musicians in India.'
'The final jigsaw piece for me was getting Arijit on the record,' he added. 'Me and him have done a full Punjabi version of the song that will come out in the next few weeks, which has a lot more of him on it. This is the album version of the song, and my favorite song on the album. Hope you guys love it.'
'Sapphire' follows previous Play singles 'Azizam' and 'Old Phone,' the latter of which dropped at the beginning of May.
Arriving September 12, the new album will serve as the first in Sheeran's next series of LPs, marking a departure from his yearslong mathematics-themed saga.
'Play was an album that was made as a direct response to the darkest period of my life,' he recently wrote on Instagram. 'Coming out of all of that I just wanted to create joy and technicolor, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring. It's a real rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish, it encapsulates everything that I love about music, and the fun in it, but also where I am in life as a human, a partner, a father.'
Watch the 'Sapphire' music video below.
read more
New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo
Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6
Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series
Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today
Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival
Arts & Culture
Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos
Arts & Culture
"The Flash" to End with Season 9
Arts & Culture
Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival
Arts & Culture
Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha
News
China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier
Sports
Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer
Lifestyle
Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt
Sports
Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
News
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies
Arts & Culture
New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
Business
Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
Arts & Culture
Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
News
Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
News
Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
2 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Jon Bernthal Returning as The Punisher for "Spider-Man: Brand New Day"
Yara Sameh The Punisher is back. Jon Bernthal will be suiting up as the vigilante once again for 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day,' Sony and Marvel's latest web-slinging adventure. Bernthal first suited up as Punisher, aka Frank Castle, in Netflix's 2016 series 'Daredevil,' becoming a fan-favorite before starring in his spin-off series 'The Punisher' in 2017, which ran for two seasons. He most recently returned to the role earlier this year in the Disney+ series 'Daredevil: Born Again.' Bernthal is also set to appear in the second season and will return again for a 2026 Disney+ special centered on Punisher from director Reinaldo Marcus Green. 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' marks the fourth film centered on Tom Holland's Peter Parker, following the Jon Watts-directed 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' (2017), 'Spider-Man: Far From Home' (2019), and 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' (2021). Plot details on the fourth installment remain under wraps. 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' will swing into theaters on July 31, 2026. 'I know we left you with a massive cliff hanger at the end of 'No Way Home,' so 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' is a fresh start. It is exactly that. That's all I can say,' Holland told the crowd at CinemaCon earlier this year via video message. 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton will direct 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day.' Zendaya and Jacob Batalon, who play Peter Parker's besties MJ and Ned, are expected to return. 'Stranger Things' star Sadie Sink will also appear in the upcoming film. The three previous films have all been box office successes, with 'Homecoming' grossing $880 million, 'Far From Home' earning $1.13 billion, and 'No Way Home' generating $1.9 billion globally. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
See - Sada Elbalad
18 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Cardi B Drops Single "Outside" Just in Time for Summer: Stream
Yara Sameh Cardi B has returned on Friday with a brand thumping new song, 'Outside,' as she's ready to take over the summer. The Bronx bombshell announced plans for the song on Tuesday. 'We OUTSIDE this Friday,' she wrote on Instagram, which sent her fans into a frenzy. She also shared a block party-themed cover art filled with a flowing fire hydrant and party remnants such as red Solo cups and dominoes. Cardi has teased snippets of the single on social media in the past months and the positive reception has finally led to a full release. "I've been cuffed up too long, let me remind n—as. Your favorite player on your favorite team, he in my DM," she raps about ending her relationship with estranged husband Offset from whom she filed for divorce for a second time in July 2024. Cardi has laid low on the music front for much of 2025, with appearances on the Smurfs Movie soundtrack and joining Pardison Fontaine for 'Toot It Up'. 'Outside' marks Cardi's first solo single of 2025 and her first single since 'Enough' in 2024. The 32-year-old musician has kept busy throughout 2025 with appearances at the Met Gala and the start of a new chapter with NFL star Stefon Diggs. Cardi went public with her relationship in May when she was spotted courtside at a New York Knicks playoff game with Diggs. She has also been in mom mode, taking care of her three children. The singer posted the first official photos of her baby Blossom on Instagram earlier this week, which saw Cardi having a fun pool day at home with the kids. Listen to 'Outside' below. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
See - Sada Elbalad
19 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Becky G to Perform at Mawazine Festival
Yara Sameh The annual Mawazine Festival in Rabat, Morocco has confirmed several high-profile artists for its June 2025 edition, including the Mexican American superstar Becky G. Running from June 20 to 28, the festival—held under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI—will take over Rabat and neighboring Salé, offering fans nine days of live music from across the globe. Organizers from Maroc Cultures announced the initial lineup on social media, promising a 'high-quality program filled with surprises.' Becky G will perform on June 25 at the OLM Souissi stage, a major venue known for hosting top international acts. The Mexican American star won't be the internationally renowned artist commanding the stage at this year's festival. Headliners for this edition include renowned artists such as Will Smith, 50 Cent, Kid Cudi, Wizkid, Salif Keita, Julian Marley, and the K-pop group aespa. The festival also highlights African artists such as Yemi Alade, Cheikh Lô, Etuk Ubong, and ElGrandeToto, reflecting the continent's rich musical heritage. With over 90% of concerts offering free access, Mawazine continues to promote cultural openness and accessibility to music for all. Arabic music will be highlighted with performances by Egyptian artists Sherine, Mohamed Hamaki, Ruby, Carmen Soliman, Tamer Ashour, Lebanese stars Wael Jassar, Ragheb Alama, and more. The Mawazine Festival is a major music event in Morocco, drawing large crowds and international attention to the country's music scene. The festival is known for bringing some of the biggest names in the industry every year, with acts like Mariah Carey, and Alicia Keys. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
