From SBTV beginnings to MBE success: Jamal Edwards’ incredible career
Jamal Edwards, best known for founding the company SBTV, has died at the age of 31.
His company confirmed the news to BBC, but his cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
The entrepreneur, author and director – who worked with Ed Sheeran and Jessie J in the past – was awarded an MBE for his services to music in 2014.
He also became an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, a youth charity run by the Prince of Wales which helps young people set up their own companies.
The late star was born in Luton in 1990, to mother Brenda Edwards. As a child, he was introduced to stage school by his mother, who came to fame while taking part season four of the X Factor.
He originally attended Acton High School, before moving on to Ealing College to continue his studies.
During his school years, he began rapping and posting the videos on YouTube, which would eventually become his business and the beginnings of SBTV, aka SmokeyBarz TV.
Leaving school, Edwards got a job in retail but continued to make videos avidly in his spare time, before making the move to producing clips full time.
Speaking about these early videos to the BBC, he said in a 2013 interview: ‘You can say my videos had mixed reviews to begin with, some people didn’t get them, but others thought they were sick [good].’
‘So I started to put them up on YouTube so everyone could see them, and it just grew from there.’
Edwards officially launched SBTV in 2006 as an online media platform to discover emerging artists, and went on to help launch the careers of some of the world’s most successful musicians – including Ed Sheeran, Dave and Jessie J, before they were signed to major labels.
The channel also featured music from the likes of Stormzy, Rita Ora, Krept & Konan, Bugzy Malone and more.
By the age of 23, Edwards was worth more than £8million, and released a book titled, Self Belief: The Vision: How To Be a Success on Your Own Terms, in 2013.
As well as his music platform, the late star also launched a headwear range in Topman with American Freshman.
Speaking about the key to success, he previously said it’s simply about believing in yourself, and finding your talent.
Speaking to the BBC, he explained: ‘Try anything, don’t be scared of failure, that is my advice.’
‘The only failure is not trying. And when you find your niche, what you are really good at, hit it so hard.’
Despite his meteoric success, Edwards remained grounded, telling the BBC that it was ‘nice’ to be able to buy things for friends and family, but that he wasn’t motivated by the money, and that becoming a multimillionaire hadn’t changed him.
‘Honestly no, 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 said.
‘I don’t want to be treated any different, I’m still the same person, I’m well grounded. And if I wasn’t, my friends and family would soon knock me down to size.’
Edwards recently appeared alongside his mum during an episode of Loose Women last November, where they discussed their bond.
When asked about the ‘drive in him that made him want that success’, he shared that it was watching his mum through the years that meant a lot.
‘My friends weren’t being represented in mainstream media, so that’s what inspired me,’ he replied. ‘But obviously my mum’s work ethic inspired me.
‘I remember going to pub when she was doing karaoke and doing my homework there.
‘She was always working very hard.’
Edwards is survived by his mother Brenda, 52, his sister Tanisha, and his stepfather Patrick Edwards.
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