Ed Sheeran heaps praise on Hanumankind, Santhosh Narayanan and Dhee for blending South Indian beats with global pop

When Ed Sheeran decided to finish his new album Play in India (Play (The Remixes) - EP), he wasn’t just completing a record — he was building bridges through music. The Grammy-winning British singer joined hands with India’s finest artists — Arijit Singh, Karan Aujla, Jonita Gandhi, Hanumankind, Dhee, and composer Santhosh Narayanan — to create an album that celebrates sound, culture, and connection.

Sharing his thoughts, Sheeran wrote on social media, “Making and finishing Play in India was such a fun experience, but being there over the last decade touring and meeting local artists, I’ve been introduced to all types of music and cultures. I wanted to represent as much as I could on this EP, I’ll give a rundown below (sic).”

A Punjabi twist with Karan Aujla

Sheeran’s collaboration with singer-rapper Karan Aujla led to Symmetry, a lively track that blends Punjabi and English music. “Karan is culture, and I love the movement he’s making with Ikky at the moment,” Sheeran shared. “He taught me the Punjabi bits on this song in the studio, and we got to shoot an amazing video for it too. I feel like this is the beginning of our collaborative journey.”

The video, directed by Liam Pethick, also features international dance crew The Quick Style, adding a global flavour to the vibrant tune.

South India’s rhythm in global sound

For Don’t Look Down, Sheeran joined forces with rapper Hanumankind, composer Santhosh Narayanan, and singer Dhee. “I loooove HMK,” he wrote. “Santhosh is one of the greatest film composers, and also introduced me to Dhee who is such an amazing talent and voice. I wanted to represent South India on this EP and the beautiful Tamil language, and they have done such an amazing job fusing all of this together.”

Through this collaboration, Sheeran brings South India’s musical richness into the global pop space.

Memories with Arijit Singh

Sheeran’s connection with Arijit Singh goes beyond music. Reflecting on their time together, he said, “Sapphire ft @arijitsingh – everyone already knows the story to this, but going to Jiaganj with my dad to create this with Arijit is one of my favourite memories in my musical career.”

Their partnership highlights the emotional core of Play, combining Sheeran’s lyrical sensitivity with Arijit’s soulful voice.

A Hindi debut with Jonita Gandhi

For Heaven, Sheeran worked with Jonita Gandhi, marking his first Hindi song. “I met Jonita 2024 when I played my big show in Mumbai,” he recalled. “I love her voice, the tone, the softness. This was the perfect tune for us to do together, and it’s an honour to do it with her, what a talent.”

A heartfelt tribute to India’s music

Ed Sheeran’s Play – The Remixes EP is more than an album; it’s a tribute to India’s musical diversity. Created during his month-long stay in the country, it captures the spirit of collaboration and cultural exchange, blending Sheeran’s global style with India’s many musical voices.