Jamal Edwards' Legacy To Be Celebrated With Posthumous MITS Award

Jamal Edwards' Legacy To Be Celebrated With Posthumous MITS Award


May 18, 2022

Earlier this year, we were rocked by the untimely passing of Jamal Edwards. A tour de force with seemingly limitless energy and enthusiasm for British music, he achieved an unimaginably huge amount in his 31 years. His relentless work ethic and open-handed approach helped launch the careers of countless stars, including Stormzy, Dave and Ed Sheeran, and won him the title of ambassador for The Prince's Trust as well as an MBE.

It's now been announced that Edwards will be posthumously awarded with the Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS) in recognition of his work in the industry. The award is to be presented to his family at a ceremony at Grosvenor House Hotel on December 7.

Speaking on the award, Edwards' mother Brenda Edwards said, "It is very humbling for the family to be accepting this award on behalf of our beloved Jamal and we are delighted to have the MITS highlight the Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust alongside The Brit Trust and Nordoff Robbins. We know that Jamal will be looking down on us on 7th November – busting with pride that his absolute love of the music industry and giving back to the less fortunate in society has been recognised in this way. Thank you MITS!"

On Edwards' contribution to music, co-chair of the MITS Award committee Toby Leighton-Pope said, "Jamal Edwards changed the face of the music industry in his 31 years, his achievements could be on par with someone 60 years into the business. His influence on the music scene as it is today should never be underestimated, just look at some of the UK's biggest artists, tours and hits today, and Jamal will have played a part in some way. That's why he is so deserving of this year's MITS Award."

Fellow co-chair Dan Chalmers added, "Jamal Edwards was a visionary. He saw a brilliantly creative way to promote new music on a platform and he went for it. When he founded SB.TV over 15 years ago, he was ahead of his time and he forced open the doors into the industry for the talented artists that deserved to be seen. Jamal helped to launch the careers of some of the UK's best artists and it's a testament to him that SB.TV's YouTube channel now has 1.23 million subscribers and still continues to grow."


Words: James Keith
Photography: Milo Hale


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