Prince Charles and Camilla pay tribute to Jamal Edwards after his death
The Prince Of Wales said the music entrepreneur's work was "an inspiration to so many"
Prince Charles and Camilla have paid tribute to Jamal Edwards after his death, aged 31.
News of the SB.TV founder’s death was announced yesterday (February 21), with his family confirming he passed away from a “sudden illness”.
Now, fresh tributes have emerged from the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, 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.”
It was written alongside a photo of Edwards next to Prince Charles, shared by The Prince’s Trust.
“An incredible innovator and entrepreneur, Jamal Edwards MBE has been an inspiration for so many young people, through our work and beyond. Our thoughts are with his family,” the charity wrote.
Jamal’s mother Brenda Edwards, who is also a singer and panellist on ‘Loose Women’, said: “It is with the deepest heartache that I confirm that my beautiful son Jamal Edwards passed away yesterday morning after a sudden illness. Myself, his sister Tanish and the rest of his family and friends are completely devastated. He was the centre of our world.
She continued: “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.”
The music world has paid tribute to Edwards’ legacy, who helped launch the careers of artists including Ed Sheeran and Dave.
Rapper AJ Tracey remembered Edwards as a “west London legend”, while Lady Leshurr said he “helped so many artists to become who they are today”.
The music entrepreneur launched SB.TV on YouTube as a 15-year-old in 2006, using just a hand-held video camera he received as a Christmas present.
The platform, abbreviated from the title SmokeyBarz, showcased artists who the teenage felt weren’t represented in mainstream UK music.
One of the channel’s most watched videos is a 2010 rendition of Ed Sheeran’s ‘You Need Me, I Don’t Need You’ which is widely viewed as a pivotal moment in the singer’s career.
Edwards was appointed an MBE for services to music in 2014.