Local Hero Dies Suddenly Aged Only 31
Music industry entrepreneur Jamal Edwards was proud to be from Acton
Jamal Edwards supporting a community initiative in Acton
YouTube star and music industry entrepreneur Jamal Edwards has died unexpectedly this Sunday (20 February).
The 31-year-old who lived in Acton was reportedly working as a DJ on Saturday night when he was taken by what has been described as a 'sudden illness'.
The founder of SBTV which supported the career of young artists he gave a start to many of the nation's best known musicians including Ed Sheeran and Skepta. He remained friends with Ed Sheeran who visited Acton to see a mural that had been created of Jamal.
His mother Brenda, who is a presenter on Loose Women, issued a statement saying, "It is with deepest heartache that I confirm that my beautiful son Jamal Edwards passed away yesterday morning after a sudden illness.
"Myself, his sister and the rest of his family and friends are completely devastated. He was the centre of our world.
"As we come to terms with the 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."
A vigil was held on Monday evening by the mural in his honour on the wall of the Everyone Active centre. It was attended by a huge crowd who laid flowers and Chelsea memorabilia underneath his picture.
Hundreds of people came to pay tribute to Jamal on Monday evening. Picture: Mike Abbott
Jamal was also an ambassador for the Prince's Trust, the charity of the Prince of Wales, which helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds set up their own businesses.
In a tribute from the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Clarence House tweeted, "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."
He has also helped awareness of mental health issues and supported the funding of local youth and community centres through his charity JE Delve.
He was always prepared to spare time speak to teenagers, including at both Acton High School and West London College where he had studied, to encourage them to be entrepreneurial and self-motivated.
Flowers and Chelsea shirts were placed at Jamal's mural in Acton
He was an early adopter of YouTube having got into filmmaking when he was given a video camera for his 15th birthday and he started his own channel when he was still at school filming people in the local area.
Tributes have poured in for Jamal with Rupa Huq describing him as a local hero.
Local hero and pioneer of British urban music via SBTV Jamal Edwards has been taken from us age 31
— Rupa Huq MP (@RupaHuq) February 20, 2022
He was hugely proud of his Acton roots- bringing @edsheeran along to the mural erected to him there recently
Shocking &sad news, love to his mum @brenda_edwards sister and family pic.twitter.com/CGLwxwRXMn
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted that British music and entertainment "has lost one of its brightest stars".
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February 24, 2022
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