Fans mourn Jamal Edwards at candlelight vigil in London
Hundreds gathered at an Acton mural for the influential late entrepreneur, who died this weekend aged 31
Fans of the late Jamal Edwards gathered last night (February 21) to mourn the influential British entrepreneur, who died at the weekend aged just 31.
The SB.TV founder’s death was announced yesterday, with his family confirming he passed away from a “sudden illness”.
Yesterday, news of a candlelight vigil in memory of “our local hero” was announced, to be held at the mural of Edwards outside Everyone Active on Acton High Street in West London.
At the vigil, which you can see footage and images of below, fans paid tribute to Edwards and spoke of what he meant to them and the UK music scene as a whole.
“He was the hero of Acton,” a fan called Zachary Thomas told the BBC. “He was the guy who showed you could make it out without… getting involved in crime or anything.”
Another, Sam Borelli, added: “Jamal was the guy that showed kids from low-income households that you are not limited to what your grades might tell you. He made the musicians that made me, if you know what I mean, with a camera he got for Christmas.”
Yesterday, Prince Charles and Camilla paid tribute to the entrepreneur, following Edwards’ extensive work with the Princes’ Trust.
Shared in a message to the Prince Of Wales and Duchess Of Cornwall’s Clarence House Twitter account, they wrote: “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.”
Jamal’s mother Brenda Edwards, a singer and panellist on ‘Loose Women’, said she was “completely devastated” in a statement read on ‘Good Morning Britain’.
“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.
AJ Tracey remembered Edwards as a “west London legend”, while Lady Leshurr urged fans to “keep his name and brand alive”.
The MOBO Awards recognised Edwards’ “groundbreaking work and legacy in British music and culture”.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan added that British music and entertainment has lost “one of its brightest stars”.
Edwards is credited for helping launch the careers of artists including Ed Sheeran, Dave and Jessie J through his YouTube channel SB.TV. He was appointed an MBE for services to music in 2014.