Photo: WireImage
British entrepreneur, DJ, founder of SBTV, and 2014 MBE awardee for his services to music Jamal Edwards has died, according to a report by BBC News, which Edwards’ company confirmed. He was 31 years old. The cause of death is unknown.
Born in Luton and raised in Acton, teen Edwards began SBTV on YouTube. It became a valuable space for the world of grime as it gave young and established artists a space to share their work and creativity. He launched a trademark series called F64, which asked rappers to perform 64 bars of new lyrics. A64, the acoustic spin-off of the same format, contributed to launching singer Ed Sheeran’s career. SBTV also featured countless other artists, such as Dave, Stormzy, Jessie J, Skepta, and Wiley.
Edwards was also an entrepreneur who published a self-help book called Self-Belief: The Vision: How to Be a Success on Your Own Terms in 2013. The Prince’s Trust, a youth charity run by Charles, Prince of Wales, also named him an ambassador. Conversations with musicians to break the stigma about mental health in the music industry also featured in one of his documentaries.
Jaykae and Lady Leshurr, among others, have paid tribute to Edwards on social media.
“Thank you for everything. Words can’t explain,” wrote Dave.
Zane Lowe also said, “Jamal Edwards was such a generous and inspiring person. Always gracious, he was a true pioneer.”
