A candlelit vigil celebrating the life of Jamal Edwards MBE is taking place outside his mural in Acton tonight.
The 31-year-old founder of iconic channel SBTV passed away after a “sudden illness” yesterday (February 20), and tributes have been flooding in ever since the news was announced.
Jamal Edwards grew up in his birthplace Luton, and Acton, west London (where the mural dedicated to him is displayed). The musical pioneer successfully launched the careers of many artists through his channel, including Stormzy, Dave, Ed Sheeran, Jessie J and many more. SBTV now has 1.23 million subscribers on YouTube.
Join us tonight at 7.30pm for a candlelight vigil in loving memory of our local hero Jamal Edwards. (At the mural outside Everyone Active on Acton High Street) #jamaledwards pic.twitter.com/rYhb5XabTX
— Acton Notebook (@actonnotebook) February 21, 2022
He was also the founder of grassroots charity JE Delve, which runs youth clubs in London, and worked closely with brands to raise awareness for mental health issues.
Edwards first started filming rap videos on a camcorder gifted to him when he was 15, and set up SBTV in 2006. Using the also-newly-launched YouTube, he gave many artists a platform to thrive that they may not have otherwise had.
Mission accomplished brother fly high 🕊 🕊 🕊 🕊. Thank you 🙏 https://t.co/ZxX3f8vpP8
— GHETTS (@THEREALGHETTS) February 20, 2022
Jamal Edwards received an MBE for his services to music in 2014, when he was just 24.
Acton Notebook tweeted about their candlelit vigil in loving memory of Jamal Edwards, inviting those who wish to come to join them by his mural (outside Everyone Active on Acton High Street) tonight at 7:30pm.
RIP Jamal Edwards (August 24, 1990 – February 20, 2022).