BRENDA Edwards has said her son Jamal was “the centre of our world” as she paid tribute to him following his death aged 31.
The Loose Women panellist thanked everyone for “messages of love and support” following the sudden death of SBTV founder Jamal, who gained fame from setting up the new music platform in 2006, which is often credited as helping to launch a string of UK music careers including Dave, Ed Sheeran and Jessie J.
He was also an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, a charity headed by the Prince of Wales, and in 2014 he was awarded an MBE for his services to music.
In a statement read out on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and shared on Loose Women’s Twitter account, Edwards said: “It is with the deepest heartache that I confirm that my beautiful son Jamal Edwards 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. As we come to terms with his passing, we asked for privacy to grieve this unimaginable loss. I would like to thank everyone for their messages of love and support.
“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.”
Read our Jamal Edwards live blog below for the latest updates…
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Jamal ‘changed the lives of others’
Tributes started pouring in as the news of his death broke over the weekend.
Amelia Dimoldenberg, the creator of Chicken Shop Dates, called him “one of the most generous people I have ever met” and “someone who loved music and truly believed in all the joy it brings”.
“You have shaped culture and changed the lives of others – never to be forgotten,” she said.
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His working relationship with musicians was ‘symbiotic’
Speaking to PA after being made an MBE, he said he started SBTV to give his friends a platform.
He said: “It was a frustration of going to school and everyone talking about ‘how do we get our videos on MTV’.
“YouTube was like a year old. I was like ‘I’ve got a camera for Christmas, I’m going to start filming people and uploading it’.
“Everyone was looking at me like ‘what are you doing, like you can compete with these major corporations’, but I think I was early enough to believe that I could make a change.”
In the same interview, he described his working relationship with musicians as “symbiotic”.
“50% is the talent and 50% is the platform,” he said. “I try to focus on people that haven’t got the platform. As well as getting a really well-known artist I want to get the up-and-coming ones as well.”
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Jamal Edwards supported the blues
Tributes also extended beyond the entertainment landscape, with Chelsea FC paying respects to the Blues superfan.
The football club wrote on Twitter: “We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jamal Edwards. An inspiration to many, we’re honoured that he was part of our Chelsea family.
“Our thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved him.”
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An Olympic torch bearer
Jamal Edwards carried the Olympic torch before the 2012 London Games, wrote a series of short self-help books and was a Prince’s Trust ambassador.
In a social media post announcing the news in 2012, he said he was “running to Leyton High RD. 6.15pm”.
He even donned a great hairstyle for the passing of the flame which he shared on his Instagram.
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Adam Deacon on losing a friend
Bafta-winning actor writer, director, and producer Adam Deacon, known for his leading role in Kidulthood, said he was “heartbroken” about Edwards’ death.
He said on Twitter: “Today I was on set when I found out the tragic news that my good friend Jamal Edwards had passed away and I’m honestly heartbroken.
“Jamal was one of the nicest, most down to earth and humble men I’ve met in this industry. He always gave me time even when no one else would.
“He was an inspiration and what he achieved in life was truly remarkable. Thinking of his friends and family at this devastating time. RIP Jamal Edwards.”
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Jamal gave people a voice
By the age of 23, Jamal was a multimillionaire and channelled his success into helping others.
He told the BBC in 2013: “I come from a humble background, I’m from a council estate. It is nice to be comfortable, and be able to buy things for friends and family, but I’m not motivated by the money.”
He also founded a grassroots youth charity called JE Delve, which runs youth clubs in London.
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SBTV provided an essential platform for grime
Edwards provided an essential platform for grime, subsequently helping to propel it into the mainstream.
“For me, SBTV was about creating as much exposure for the genre as possible, and that in turn helps be a part of the story – in terms of SBTV being a part of the UK music story, with grime, rap and hip-hop,” he told culture blog WhyNow in 2020.
“Back in the day, the 696 used to stop events happening and it was an underground scene. But grime’s now in the mainstream, it’s in the charts, grime artists are now winning awards; so you had to overcome those barriers, but if anything it made it more rewarding when we reached a certain success.”
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Who has paid tribute to Jamal Edwards?
Following the news of Jamal’s death on Sunday, thousands of people have paid tribute to the star on their social medias.
Chart-topper AJ Tracey was one of the first to pay tribute online, by tweeting: “RIP Jamal Edwards, west London legend status”.
The official Twitter handle of YouTube paid tribute to the legend with a post saying: “We’ve lost a legend today. Jamal Edwards was an inspiration to so many, supporting artists and shaping culture through @SBTVonline.
“Sending our condolences to Jamal’s family & community.”
Birmingham rapper Jaykae also paid tribute on Twitter, writing: “I think I can speak for us all as artists and as supporters of uk grime/rap scene when I say I owe this man so much!
“Helped me sometimes without even speaking of it. RIP Jamal Edwards, my guy man!!! Can’t believe I’m tweeting this. Legend. I love ya.”
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Dave & Stormzy featured on SBTV before fame
Among the other most popular performances posted to the SBYV channel are by rappers such as Mist, Abra Cadabra, Nines and Kano.
A 2015 clip for the channel’s “Warm-Up Sessions” shows future Mercury Prize-winning artist Dave shouting out Edwards, promising he was “just getting started”.
“When I first heard Dave, I had to get him on SB to spray some fire as the realness he delivers is on point and he’s only just turned 17,” Edwards wrote in the caption. “Definitely one of the new youngers to watch out for in the future!”
A 2012 video shows a young Stormzy in another Warm-Up session, prompting one viewer to comment: “This guy is actually good I wanna see more of him.”
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Lady Leshurr says the news of Jamal’s passing is ‘heartbreaking’
Rapper Lady Leshurr said the news of his passing was “heartbreaking” and praised the music mogul for helping her career.
She wrote: “He gave me opportunity after opportunity to showcase my talent from Brum into London. We need to keep his name and brand alive.”
ITV journalist Jam Williams-Thomas added: “This man did so much for grime and UK music.
“I grew up watching SBTV to see all the underrepresented artists of the scene. His grind is unmatched.
“A real inspiration and a huge, huge loss to the industry. Honoured to share first names with you. RIP Jamal Edwards.”
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Jamal’s MBE in 2014
Jamal Edwards was awarded an MBE in 2014 for his services to music.
When Edwards received his MBE at the age of 24, he wrote on Facebook: “Never in a million years did I ever think I would receive such an accolade.
“For me this is about us the YOUTH, with so much negativity around us it’s hard sometimes to stay positive and fight for your dreams.”
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Explained: What is Jamal Edwards net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jamal had an estimated net worth of around $10million at the time of his death.
Jamal has served as a model for brands such as Hermès, and launched his own headwear collection with Topman – a store he once worked at to save money for his music platform.
He also published an e-book in 2013, entitled Self Belief: The Vision: How To Be a Success on Your Own Terms.
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Jamal’s ‘groundbreaking work’
The MOBO Awards said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of Jamal Edwards passing.
“As the founder of SBTVonline, his groundbreaking work and legacy in British music and culture will live on.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with his friends and family.”
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Royalty pays tribute to Jamal
Prince Charles paid a tribute to Jamal Edwards.
Edwards once met Prince Charles at the launch of the Prince’s Trust Summer Sessions in 2013.
In a statement today Prince Charles said: “Thinking of the family of Jamal Edwards today. His work in music but also as an ambassador for a new generation, including his work for The Prince’s Trust, were an inspiration to so many.”
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Jamal worked in retail before fame
Jamal Edwards said he worked in retail for four years while he was starting his YouTube channel, and encouraged young people to “invest” in themselves to build a better life.
He once said: “I am over the moon to be honoured for my contributions to music, honestly people anything is possible if you stay dedicated.
“I was forced to carve my own path, taking an untraditional route, part of a digital culture rewriting the rules and breaking down barriers.”
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‘Thank you for all you ever showed me’
Following the announcement of Jamal Edwards’ passing, singer Rita Ora, who said her first ever interview was with Edwards, wrote alongside a series of snaps on Instagram: “Our endless talks on music and the belief you had in me and so many of us before we even believed in ourselves. I’m devastated.
“No words can describe how grateful I am to of been in your presence. Thank you for all you ever showed me.”
And TV and radio presenter Fearne Cotton said: “Completely heartbreaking. Jamal you were the most special person.
“I adored hanging out with you, chatting about life and big dreams.
“You’re creativity and passion for nurturing new talent will never be forgotten.”
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Jamal Edwards, 31, ‘died of heart attack at mum’s house’ , pals say
JAMAL Edwards died from a “sudden heart attack” at the home he shared with his mum, his devastated pals say.
The music mogul, 31, passed away on Sunday morning after his final DJ set at a bar the night before.
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His grief-stricken friends say he suffered a heart attack at his home in Acton, West London, as they told of their shock at his death.
One pal who attended Acton High School with the star says his family are “still trying to come to terms with it”.
The friend, named as Dwayne, told the Mail: “The details are still a still not clear but we’ve been told that it was a heart attack.
“He was out DJing on Saturday night and eventually got home in the early hours of Sunday morning.https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.501.0_en.html#goog_1106720913
“The family are still trying to come to terms with it all, but we’ve heard that his mum found him in his bedroom and called an ambulance.”]
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Jamal Edwards’ impact on music
Jamal Edwards was a teenager when he launched the youth broadcasting and production film channel SBTV to upload clips he had recorded of his friends performing on the estate where he lived in Acton, west London.
By 2014, he had amassed an estimated fortune of around £8 million and worked with the likes of Jessie J, Emeli Sande and Sheeran.
He was also an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, a charity headed by the Prince of Wales, and in 2014 he was awarded an MBE for his services to music.
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Jessie J’s heart is broken
Jessie J has said her “heart is broken” following the death of SBTV founder Jamal Edwards.
The singer, whose early appearances on the new music channel helped propel her to fame, said in a post on Instagram: “Your light. Your ideas. Your work ethic. Your laugh. Your care for every person you met was unmatched. But your friendship… Phew. That’s why my heart is broken. We had plans bro. I can’t believe this is real. I love you @jamaledwards.”
She also shared clips showing her and Edwards appearing on Channel 4 series Gogglebox together and a screenshot of a text exchange in which she told the music entrepreneur, “Miss you.”
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David Cameron says Jamal’s passing ‘such a sad loss’
Former prime minister David Cameron said the death of SBTV founder Jamal Edwards was “such a sad loss”.
Mr Cameron, who is chairman of the National Citizen Service’s Board of Patrons, tweeted: “My thoughts & prayers are with the family of Jamal Edwards MBE.
“He was a great friend to @NCS & a valued Patron, supporting & inspiring young people to be the best they could be, leading from the front & showing what’s possible with hard work & determination.
“Such a sad loss.”
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Royalty pays tribute to Jamal
Prince Charles paid a tribute to Jamal Edwards.
Edwards once met Prince Charles at the launch of the Prince’s Trust Summer Sessions in 2013.
In a statement today Prince Charles said: “Thinking of the family of Jamal Edwards today. His work in music but also as an ambassador for a new generation, including his work for The Prince’s Trust, were an inspiration to so many.”
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Explained: What is Jamal Edwards net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jamal had an estimated net worth of around $10million at the time of his death.
Jamal has served as a model for brands such as Hermès, and launched his own headwear collection with Topman – a store he once worked at to save money for his music platform.
He also published an e-book in 2013, entitled Self Belief: The Vision: How To Be a Success on Your Own Terms.
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Dave & Stormzy featured on SBTV before fame
Among the other most popular performances posted to the SBYV channel are by rappers such as Mist, Abra Cadabra, Nines and Kano.
A 2015 clip for the channel’s “Warm-Up Sessions” shows future Mercury Prize-winning artist Dave shouting out Edwards, promising he was “just getting started”.
“When I first heard Dave, I had to get him on SB to spray some fire as the realness he delivers is on point and he’s only just turned 17,” Edwards wrote in the caption. “Definitely one of the new youngers to watch out for in the future!”
A 2012 video shows a young Stormzy in another Warm-Up session, prompting one viewer to comment: “This guy is actually good I wanna see more of him.”
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Jamal’s last social media post
In his final Instagram post before his death, he paid tribute to his friend and “brother” Ed Sheeran.
Alongside a throwback snap of them together, he wrote: “Happy Birthday to the OG, Ed. Blessed to have you in my life brother.”https://www.instagram.com/p/CaFG3_brdJi/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=708&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk&rp=%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D17717861%26action%3Dedit#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A6482.399999999907%7D
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Explained: What is Jamal Edwards net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jamal had an estimated net worth of around $10million at the time of his death.
Jamal has served as a model for brands such as Hermès, and launched his own headwear collection with Topman – a store he once worked at to save money for his music platform.
He also published an e-book in 2013, entitled Self Belief: The Vision: How To Be a Success on Your Own Terms.
