Ed Sheeran's cousin, aspiring rapper Jethro, has expressed his frustration after being threatened with legal action by the singer's record label, Warner Music.
Jethro, who performs under the stage name Alonestar, had planned to feature a cover of his track Raise Em Up that included both him and Sheeran.
However, it is claimed that Warner Music, the label behind artists such as Charli xcx and Coldplay, demanded that he remove the global popstar’s face and name from the artwork.
Jethro recorded Raise Em Up with his famous cousin in 2010 and has since released 21 mixed versions of the song on Spotify.
The 42-year-old has complied with Warner Music's demands to remove Sheeran’s face and name from the cover of his track on the music streaming platform, despite the image still appearing on his official Instagram.
Speaking to The Sun, Jethro shared his disappointment, revealing that even his legal team was surprised by the strict demands from those managing his famous cousin's career.
He shared: “I was super disappointed in him. Even my lawyers were shocked at how he could do this to family.
“But it’s OK. I’m doing great, working on my new album. I wish him the best, just far away from me.”
The Standard has contacted Ed Sheeran and Warner Music for comment.
Jethro signed with EMI in 2011 and released the EP Warrior, which featured collaborations with artists like Jaja Soze and Rosie Ribbons. He also contributed to several of Sheeran’s tracks, including You Need Me, I Don't Need You, Move On, and Pause.
Additionally, the singer made an appearance in Jethro's music video for Skyla Rain.
Their joint track Raise Em Up was featured in the 2013 film All Stars. But Jethro's connections in the music industry extend beyond Sheeran.
Last year, he released Down 2 Ride featuring American artist Chris Brown. He has also had the opportunity to perform alongside the late Amy Winehouse at the Elephant Head pub in Camden.
Beyond his collaborations, Jethro signed a deal with Sony Music to launch three imprints on digital platforms. He also runs his own record label, Urban Angel Records, and a production company, Urban Angel Productions, which operates out of Bristol, London, and Denmark.
