THE LAST time our Lifestyle and Entertainment editor saw Jamal Edwards MBE, he was doing what he’d always done, chiselling away behind the scenes of a visionary project that would soon be brought to market.

That project was online show Top Producer, co-created by musician and Grime trailblazer, Jammer.

Edwards, was at the private, pre-screening of the first episode in an advisory capacity, his presence by default lending vindication to the credibility of the show. 

Of course, he would never have seen it this way, he was way too humble. Jammer, after all is a pioneer in the British contemporary music space, they both were. Edwards’ presence, was actually a snapshot of how it all started, one visionary supporting another. Real recognising real.

Always ahead of the curve Edwards’ death sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and around the world.

Universally loved for his craft, endeavour, dedication and professionalism, the words, ‘Share. Build. Teach. Vibes,’ are written on his SBTV YouTube channel to this day and they are words that underpinned his reason for doing. They are words that remain at the center of everything he gave to the world. 

If, as they say, your network is your net worth, then looking back on the names that Edwards galvanised in the early and pivotally defining part of his career behind the camera, with Smokey Barz TV (SB.TV), gives you a glimpse of just how valuable the proud West Londoner was.

In truth, there is no measurement that encapsulates Edward’s impact in his time on this planet, few will walk the earth and claim they were able to be such a significant part of steering a generation, Edwards did that and then some. He was a pillar.

His thirst for pushing the envelope never wavered. His commitment to elevating the culture was incessant. The legacy will last for it flows through the very fabric of what contemporary music and entertainment is today and will be in the future.

YouTube was born in 2005. Edwards, 31-years-old when he passed away, launched SBTV in November 2006, let that sink in.

Sixteen years of documenting a culture, a movement, the shift, the trends, he was always on point and will be sorely missed. 

His reach extended way beyond YouTube though. There isn’t a facet of the modern-day culture where Entertainment is concerned, that Edward’s tentacles didn’t touch. 

The Voice Newspaper’s thoughts go out to his family.

MOBO Awards founder Kanya King, a pioneer herself, paid tribute and shared her memories of Edwards: “Jamal was a force to be reckoned with and a true pioneer of this scene. 

“I was shocked and saddened when I heard the tragic news of his passing, and I’m still coming to grips with it now. 

“When I first started MOBO in 1996, it was extremely rare to have any black CEOs in positions of influence in the music industry. I can only recall a few during the early years, which included the founders of Choice FM, Patrick Berry, and Neil Kenlock, and the Voice Newspapers’ Val McCalla. 

“We all knew the enormous obstacles we had to overcome, so there was a camaraderie, pushing each other to help lay the foundations and elevate how Black music and culture is celebrated in mainstream media today. 

“With Jamal, I feel that he carried that fighting spirit into a new generation when he founded SBTV; proudly celebrating and championing some of the most beloved artists out today, which includes the likes of Lady Leshurr, Dave, Skepta, Jessie J, and Ed Sheeran, to name a few. 

“Jamal embodied fighting for your dreams and never giving up despite all the obstacles you may face to make a difference. 

“Even though he was so young, Jamal leaves behind a powerful legacy that will define and shape Black British music and culture for generations to come.”