Who would’ve thought that someone who started as a 15-year-old with a camera could go on to capture the hearts of the country, inspire a whole generation of musicians and build a legacy that will be felt in British culture for decades to come? That is what my friend Jamal Edwards did in his 31 years.
Whether you speak to me, Stormzy, Dave, Krept & Konan, Hardy Caprio or Ed Sheeran, we all have one thing in common – Jamal believed in us enough to provide us with a platform.
SBTV was the first streaming service with young people in London in mind. Jamal founded it in 2006. Almost every day Jamal and his small team would upload a new potential star and give the audience what they wanted: music. This also gave an entire generation of young black artists what they needed: a chance.
Jamal changed my life forever. He randomly put his Skype details on Twitter one day so I called and just rapped. He told me to come on SBTV so I travelled down in 2012 to West London to film with him. I told everyone I knew about it, but then Jamal called to say he had lost the footage.
I didn’t want to film again – part of me thought it was his way of saying it wasn’t good enough – but he asked for my postcode. An hour later he was in a black taxi outside my flat, telling the driver to play my instrumental through the car speaker. Then and there he personally filmed my Warm Up session. From that moment, he was on to me about being consistent. He’d contact me for projects, talks, festivals and more.
One highlight was when he called me, early on in my career, to do a verse for a song and video commemorating Shakespeare’s anniversary. It was broadcast at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. Jamal split the money with me when he knew he could’ve got the verse for free, but he just wanted to help. We planned my tours together and he used to try to connect me with investors, even when it wouldn’t benefit him.
Financially, I’m not the most successful export of Jamal’s kindness, but recently I got married and moved in with my wife. I wouldn’t have that or my music or books without Jamal’s belief in me.
All the way up until his death on Sunday, Jamal brought people joy, indulging himself in projects, passions and people. DJing, filming or connecting with people to help their careers. He gave a lot of us an opportunity to provide for our families. Where we’re from, that’s akin to saving lives, and we’re forever grateful for that.
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It’s been beautiful to watch so many speak on how much he’s helped and inspired them. An entire generation. Whether it’s sports, with his relationship with Chelsea Football Club, Rio Ferdinand and more. Music, his impact with Ed Sheeran and the entire UK rap scene. And even DJing, with the joy he’s brought to events across the country. Jamal’s impact is unquestionable.
We often discuss what young people need to improve their lives and escape some of the consequences of their environment. Whichever way you word it, the answer tends to come down to opportunity. Jamal provided that for an untold number of kids who without him wouldn’t have had many options.
Legacy is defined by what you leave behind. I pray for the comfort of his family and I hope in time they also find joy in knowing there’s an entire generation of kids that are able to provide for their families because of Jamal and thousands of others have music and unforgettable moments because of one brave, selfless, ambitious champion.
Nego True is a rapper, spoken word artist and best selling author
