Jamal Edwards, who changed the British rap and grime industry with his YouTube page, died Sunday after a “sudden illness” at age 31.
“Myself, his sister Tanisha and the rest of his family and friends are completely devastated,” his mother, “Loose Women” panelist Brenda Edwards, said in a statement. “He was the center of our world.”
Raised in west London, Edwards launched his YouTube channel, SBTV (SmokeyBarz TV), named after a pseudonym he sometimes used for his own musical endeavors, in 2006. Today, the channel has more than 1.2 billion subscribers and has helped bring attention to artists like Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, Skepta, Jessie J and rapper Dave.
The channel started as a way for him to share rap and grime music with his friends, but quickly grew into a huge platform for more underground music and up-and-coming artists.
In 2014, the then-24-year-old businessman was given an MBE (Member of the British Empire) award by the royal family for his services to music.
“British music and entertainment has lost one of its brightest stars,” London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted Sunday evening. “My thoughts are with Jamal’s loved ones at this terribly sad time.”
“Jamal, our endless talks on music and the belief you had in me and so many of us before we even believed in ourselves,” singer Rita Ora wrote on Instagram. “I’m devastated. No words can describe how grateful I am to of been in your presence. Thank you for all you ever showed me.”
“Giving God thanks that you did what he sent you to do,” rapper George the Poet tweeted. “So many of us owe our careers to you bro.”
“This man single handedly changed the whole UK MUSIC scene, what he done for us and put us on the map, revolutionized the music game, and gave everybody a platform,” wrote musician Danny Seth. “We are forever indebted to you. Fly high, king.”
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