Jamal Edwards, a British music tycoon and SBTV entrepreneur, died at the age of 31, according to his management. This is all we know so far about Jamal Edwards’ death, the man who helped Dave and Jessie J establish their careers.
Jamal Edwards rose to prominence after founding the new music platform SBTV, which helped start the careers of major UK artists such as Dave and Jessie J.
Jamal Edwards died on Sunday morning, according to his management.
Jamal Edwards, who was born in Luton in 1990, has worked in music and movies throughout his career.
Jamal Edwards started the youth broadcasting and film production channel SBTV when he was a teenager, uploading clips of his friends performing on the estate where he resided in Acton, west London. Initially, the channel was solely dedicated to grime music, but he quickly expanded.
He served as an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, a charity founded by Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and was granted an MBE in 2014 for his contributions to music.
He had earned an estimated wealth of over £8 million by 2014, and has collaborated with artists such as Jessie J, Emeli Sande, and Ed Sheeran.
Speaking to PA after being made an MBE, he said he started SBTV. He added, “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’.
In the same interview, he described his working relationship with musicians as “symbiotic”.
“50% is the talent and 50% is the platform,”
“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.”
“Our hearts and thoughts are with his friends and family.”
SBTV gained national attention in 2011 when it was featured in a Google Chrome advertisement, forcing the SBTV website to breakdown due to high traffic. It went on to become the second most popular YouTube video in the United Kingdom for that year.
Many people have paid tribute to Edwards on social media, with many expressing their sympathies to his mother, Brenda Edwards, a Loose Women panelist who finished fourth in the second series of the X Factor in 2005. Song of a Preacher Man and Midnight Train to Georgia were among the tunes she performed.
Brenda Edwards was coached by Sharon Osbourne in the Over-25s category during her tenure on The X Factor.
Loose Women’s Denise Welch said, “My heart aches for my friend Brenda. I can’t bear it. Jamal Edwards was a wonderful son and brother.”
B weekly panelist on Loose Women, Brenda Edwards is a presented on BBC One’s long-running program Songs of Praise.
Brenda said, ‘It is with the deepest heartache that I can confirm that my beautiful son Jamal Edwards passed away yesterday morning after a sudden illness,’
She added ‘As we come to terms with his passing we ask 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.’
Jamal Edwards died of a ‘heart attack’ at the home he lived with Brenda Edwards, according to reports.
According to the Daily Mail and The Metro, Jamal Edwards died of a ‘heart attack’ after returning home from a DJ session.
After his passing at the age of 31, tributes to the SBTV creator, who championed talents such as Dave, Ed Sheeran, and Jessie J, have poured in from music industry executives, sports stars, and other celebrities.
Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall’s Clarence House’s Twitted from Twitter account, “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.”
“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.”
Sir Richard Branson, added, “So sad to hear about the passing of Jamal Edwards MBE.
Jessie J 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.”
The Price Tag singer also shared clips of her and Edwards appearing on Channel 4 series Gogglebox together and a screenshot of a text exchange in which she told the music entrepreneur caption was, “Miss you”.
Elliot Gleave said, “Can’t believe you’re gone. 31 years old. Can’t find the words right now.”
Comedian Mo Gilligan tweeted, “A truly humble and blessed soul. Your legacy will live on for years & you’ve inspired a whole generation. Rest easy Jamal Edwards.”
Bafta-winning actor writer, director, and producer Adam Deacon, ksaid he was “heartbroken” about the death of Jamal Edwards.
“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.”
Che Wolton Grant, better known by his stage name AJ Tracey, also took to Twitter to pay tribute.
Amelia Dimoldenberg, the creator of Chicken Shop Dates, praised Edwards said, “Jamal Edwards, one of the most generous people I have ever met. Someone who loved music and truly believed in all the joy it brings. Going above and beyond to connect people and bring ideas to life.
“You have shaped culture and changed the lives of others – never to be forgotten.
He had earned an estimated wealth of over £8 million by 2014, and has collaborated with artists such as Jessie J, Emeli Sande, and Ed Sheeran.
Following his tragic passing at the age of 31, Loose Women panelists paid tribute to SBTV creator Jamal Edwards and expressed sorrow to his mother, fellow panelist Brenda.
Brenda expressed her anguish on Monday’s episode of Loose Women at the manner her son’s death was made public on social media.
Brenda, a singer and presenter, thought the announcement had been “taken away from her” by people commenting about the news online, according to host Charlene White.
The panel became teary-eyed as they watched clips of Edwards and reminisced about his appearances on the show.
“So you know just how shocked Brenda is and just how hard it’s hit all of us who knew him and of course all of us who love Brenda.”
White said she and fellow panelist Judi Love had spent much of the night with their friend on Sunday after hearing the news.
Love added, “I don’t want to have to do this but we have to.
“We just wanted to be there for her yesterday.”
White also addressed the manner in which Edwards’ death had been announced,
She said: “Brenda gave a statement this morning which I will read some of, and the reason why I am going to read some of this is because the opportunity to share Brenda’s loss and the family’s loss – that was taken away from Brenda because of various people on social media who decided to tell Brenda’s story, and to tell Jamal’s story without consulting Brenda, which was not fair in any shape or form.”
Her statement said Edwards had died on Sunday morning following a “sudden illness” and that family and friends are “completely devastated”.
She added: “He was the center of our world.”
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