British music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards passed away on Sunday at the age of 31. He was the founder of SBTV, an online music platform that launched artists such as Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and Jessie J.
Edwards was a pioneer in British rap and grime music. He was also a well-known name outside the music world. He was ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, a youth charity run by Prince Charles. In 2014 he received a ribbon for his contribution to the music world.
His mother said in a statement that Edwards died of ‘sudden illness’. What that exactly means is unclear.
‘Legend’
“My first interview ever was with you”, reacts singer Rita Ora on Instagram† “Jamal, our endless conversations about music and the faith you had in me and in so many of us before we even believed in ourselves. I am devastated. Words cannot describe how grateful I am to have been in your presence .”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan says on Twitter that British music and entertainment has “lost one of its biggest stars”. “Today we lost a legend,” it said in a statement from YouTube. “Jamal Edwards was an inspiration to many.”
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