Jamal Edwards

Jamal Edwards MBE, MBA, PhD (24 August 1990 – 20 February 2022) was a British DJ, entrepreneur and youth worker, best known as the founder of the British music platform SB.TV, first launched in 2006. In 2015, Jamal was awarded an MBE from the Royal Family for his services in music.

During his youth, after picking up a interest both in music and media, Edwards took up rapping as a hobby with his friends, recording the sessions and uploading them on YouTube. After discovering many up-and-coming rappers around the area of London in the process, Jamal decided to launch the British music channel SB.TV (fka. SmokeyBarzTV) to showcase the brigthest talents from the underground circuit, through series' such as F64 and Warm Up Sessions, and introduce them into the limelight.

Among others, Edwards and the SB.TV portal helped launch the careers of artists such as Jessie J, Stormzy, Dave, Rita Ora and Emeli Sandé. The producer is also heavily credited in aiding the career of Ed Sheeran, who was one of the very first artists to get promoted by SB.TV and became best friends with Edwards for well over a decade: in fact, Ed itself often cites Jamal as a major reason to why he broke through in the music industry.

Away from music, Jamal was also an active youth and social worker: having opened up a number of youth clubs in the area of Acton, West London – where he grew up as a child – , Jamal was also an ambassador for the NCS, as well as the Prince’s Trust, where he worked alongside young people in music and media programs and helped them find an employment – leaving an indescribable mark on their lives.

On the 20th of February 2022, Jamal suffered a heart attack following a DJ set at his mother’s house, passing away shortly after. The entire UK scene paid their respects to the young producer, with many artists sharing personal stories on how Jamal helped them throughout their personal and professional lives; furthermore, a special Vigil was held in front of his memorial in his native neighbourhood of Acton, West London, quickly attracting thousands of people across the UK.