Jamal Edwards: Tributes paid to ‘legendary’ SBTV founder a year after his death

The music industry has paid tribute to SBTV founder Jamal Edwards, a year after his tragic death.

The 31-year-old died from cardiac arrhythmia after taking recreational drugs on February 20 2022.

His mother Loose Women panellist Brenda Edwards has been campaigning for more CPR training following his death.

Edwards grew up in Acton, west London, where he set up his hip-hop and grime YouTube channel SBTV.

He then went on to help launch the careers of Jessie J, Emeli Sande, Dave, and Ed Sheeran.

He was also an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, a charity headed by the Prince of Wales, and in 2014 he was awarded an MBE for his services to music.

In a tribute on Instagram, Ed Sheeran wrote: Can’t believe it’s been a year. Miss you every day, currently drowning myself in rum listening to tunes you loved xx.”

Rapper Dizzee Rascal wrote on Twitter: “Long live Jamal Edwards, large up SBTV.”

Grime artist Jedah DJ also wrote: “R.I.P. Jamal Edwards.

“One year has passed, gone, but never forgotten…”

While journalist Jam Williams-Thomas wrote: “One year since this true legend passed.

“A pioneer of Black media and an inspiration to thousands, if not millions.

“RIP Jamal Edwards.”

Last month Ed Sheeran released a song, called F64, on Edwards platform SBTV  to pay tribute to his friend.

Edwards was a lifelong fan of Chelsea FC, with the video for the track filmed at the team’s Stamford Bridge stadium.

The 31-year-old Grammy award-winner is lit up in a circle of candles in the stadium, with Jamal Edwards’ name spelt out on the seats at the stadium appearing in the background.

In the lyrics Sheeran raps: "Since we last spoke I’ve become a father-of-two trying to live life with a smile but that’s been harder to do.

"Because all I want to do is talk about you, but these tears won’t let me talk about you. We should have known that we’d be lost without you."

In August 2022 an inquest into Edwards’s death found the cause to be "cardiac arrhythmia, following cocaine use".