Why is anyone surprised about Ed Sheeran? Gen Z music is all about either cosplaying music that's decades old or supermarket music with lyrics. The fact a generation thinks it's some sort of genius rather than the unimaginative, toe the line corporate dirge that it is, tells you everything you need to know. In the 70's and 80's there was Rock against racism, bands refused to play in anti apartheid South Africa Sun City, etc etc. Real bands made up of men and women who's music inherently had a message beyond " I love you, you're great, innit". The reason why Sheeran can have his huge success today is because the contract between artist and promoter/label is "be as bland as you can be, cause no trouble, you'll be rich ". Same in almost every media industry now. So why would a bland, smiley moron with bland supermarket music for the musically semi literate have an opinion on anything? Seriously? The music industry couldn't make money with bands who refused to toe the line 40 years ago, they were too unpredictable, too many songs banned on radio, too close to the truth, so they gave out deals based on compliance, mass market averageness and understanding of the rules, "say nothing, just play your fucking guitar". That so many are looking at an industry talking head for some sort of political guidance is about as tragic as it fucking gets. Vote! Join a party! March! Protest! Ed Sheeran nor any other musician that's raking it in isn't coming to give you a voice.