SBTV founder Jamal Edwards has died aged 31
Tributes are pouring in for the pioneering music entrepreneur
SBTV founder Jamal Edwards has died aged 31, according to the BBC.
The pioneering music entrepreneur helped launch the careers of the likes of Ed Sheeran, Skepta and Dave with his YouTube channel.
Edward's mother Brenda Edwards confirmed the news via the Loose Women Twitter account. In the statement, she wrote: "It is with the deepest heartache that I confirm my beautiful son passed away yesterday morning after a sudden illness."
"Myself, his sister Tanisha and the rest of his family and friends are completely devastated. He was the centre of our world."
"Jamal was an inspiration to myself and so many. Our love for him lives on, his legacy lives on. Long live Jamal Edwards MBE, MBA, PHD."
Born in Luton, Edwards set up SBTV when he was just 18 years old. The channel is regarded as a "key' institution for Black British music, particularly UK grime and UK rap, with a huge following of over 1.2 million subscribers.
Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Chipmunk, Big Zuu and Tinchy Stryder have all been featured on the channel.
In 2014 Edwards was awarded an MBE for services to music.
Outside of SBTV Edwards has worked closely with the Prince's Trust Youth Charity to help young people throughout the UK set up their own companies.
Edwards credited much of his success to the youth centres of Acton after he left school with just a handful of GCSEs, through the centres he was given film classes. In 2019 he set up charity JD Delve that refurbished and reopened four youth centres in the borough.
Friends, colleagues and supporters of Edwards have taken to social media to pay tribute.
RIP Jamal Edwards, west london legend status βπ½ππ
— π½ (@ajtracey) February 20, 2022
βYou never know what you might create, or the change you might inspire.β - Jamal Edwards ππ pic.twitter.com/C8NSWFYNxv
— #Merky Books (@MerkyBooks) February 20, 2022
My favourite Jamal stories are about how he would push MC's to go deeper when writing their freestyles
— Aniefiok 'Neef' Ekpoudom (@AniefiokEkp) February 20, 2022
He'd make them draft it 2/3 times over because it was always about more than just lyrics
It was about a message, about giving artists a platform to tell the world who they are
A truly humble and blessed soul. Your legacy will live on for years & youβve inspired a whole generation. Rest easy Jamal Edwards β€οΈ
— Mo Gilligan (@MoTheComedian) February 20, 2022
This canβt be real spoke to @jamaledwards today we doing video Wednesday
— Big Narstie (@bignarstie) February 20, 2022
Iβm in tears. So heartbreaking to hear the news of Jamal Edwards πππ prayers to his family and loved ones nothing makes sense anymore πππΎ @SBTVonline
— #CARMEN ππ (@LadyLeshurr) February 20, 2022
We are deeply saddened to learn of Jamal Edwards passing. As the founder of @SBTVonline, his groundbreaking work & legacy in British music and culture will live on ππΎππΎβπΎ
— MOBO (@MOBOAwards) February 20, 2022
Our hearts and thoughts are with his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/IQPcpkBG8w
Pioneer in UK music Jamal Edwards MBE 1990-2022 RIP pic.twitter.com/uZchqmWAYD
— Michael Gravesande (@OldBlackHack) February 20, 2022
I used to talk to this 15 y/o kid on MSN & we compared notes on cameras in my early Despacam days.
— Despa Robinson (@DespaRobinson) February 20, 2022
That kid went on to become a giant by the name of Jamal Edwards. He left the door open & 1000s of us ran through it.
Thank you so much Jamal πβ€οΈ.
An unquantifiable impact pic.twitter.com/VvBliln05J
This day changed my life. You changed so many peoples lives. Powers were unmatched. True KING πππ pic.twitter.com/f9Uw210se9
— Big Zuu (@ItsBigZuu) February 20, 2022
Fly high brother. Thank you for everything pic.twitter.com/QhEs4KVwvI
— Alhan GenΓ§ay (@alhan) February 20, 2022
Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Digital Editor, follow her on Twitter
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