Loose Women panellist Brenda Edwards was joined by some of the biggest names in British music as she paid tribute to her late son Jamal at a star-studded event at The O2. Jamal Edwards MBE, founder of the music platform SBTV, died in February 2022 at the age of 31.
The TV personality took to the stage alongside her daughter Tanisha Artman to honour Jamal, whose platform celebrated its 20th anniversary on Wednesday (November 11). More than 30 artists from grime, rap, hip-hop, R&B and UK funky came together for the landmark show, celebrating the legacy of the music entrepreneur who helped launch the careers of some of the UK's biggest stars.
A Legacy of Opening Doors
Jamal, who founded SBTV as a teenager, became one of the most influential figures in British music. What began with him filming local artists in Acton grew into a platform that helped shape a generation and gave emerging performers a chance to be heard.
Brenda addressed the audience and reflected on the values that drove her son, while introducing the Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust, which the evening supported. Speaking about Jamal's approach to helping others, she said: "Jamal believed opportunities were meant to be shared, whether you were an artist, an entrepreneur, a creative young person with a dream or simply someone looking for a chance."
She added: "Jamal had an incredible gift for opening doors. He didn’t believe success was something you were meant to hold onto; he believed success was meant to be shared."
A Star-Studded Line-Up
The anniversary event featured an impressive line-up including Big Narstie, Tinchy Stryder, Tinie Tempah, Wiley, Chip, Roll Deep, Krept & Konan, Headie One, Professor Green, Dappy, Shola Ama and Lady Leshurr. DJs Target, Kenny Allstar and Mack 10 also joined the celebrations, with performances spanning two decades of UK music.
Tanisha, who is CEO of SBTV, said the night was everything she had hoped for and more. She added: "Seeing The O2 come together to celebrate 20 years of SBTV, the incredible artists who have been part of our journey and most importantly my brother Jamal’s legacy, was something I’ll never forget."
She said she was proud of what they had achieved and grateful to everyone who helped make the event happen, adding that the celebration was also a glimpse of what was to come.
Supporting Young People
The Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust supports young people aged 18 to 25 who face barriers linked to poverty, homelessness, education and employment. Through care, connection and community, the organisation aims to help young people build confidence and access opportunities.
Two decades after Jamal first began filming artists, the night at The O2 served as a reminder of the doors he opened and the influence he continues to have on British music. An inquest into Jamal's death concluded that it was caused by cardiac arrhythmia following the use of cocaine and alcohol.
