Ed Sheeran, Mack Wilds & August Alsina Cover ‘VIBE’
Ed Sheeran joins Mack Wilds and August Alsina to cover VIBE‘s Summer 2014 issue.
During the shoot at a Los Angeles hilltop home, Sheeran admits that he was surprised to be included, “being British and ginger.” But he has a lot more in common with Wilds and Alsina than he initially imagined.
After years of rap lifting from R&B’s melodic sensibilities (see: Ja Rule, Drake), these three stars boast a hip hop-informed edge initially heard in Mary J. Blige, only tailored to their needs. Wilds tweaks the sounds of ’90s boom-bap in his debut album New York: A Love Story. Alsina croons of New Orleans streets – and its casualties, including his slain older brother – in his own 2014 debut Testimony. And of course, Sheeran raps in his new album x (out today, June 23) when he admits to feeling like and being a nervous wreck (“Sing,” “The Man,” “Take It Back”).
VIBE‘s Summer 2014 issue hits newsstands on July 22. For a behind-the-scenes peek at its cover shoot and respective stories, head on over to VIBE‘s official site.
Get an eyeful of even more pop music coverage, from artist interviews to exclusive performances, on Idolator’s YouTube channel.
