Editor’s Note: Unfortunately disruption has made this edition of The Badger a little different. Unavoidable circumstances meant that this edition was delayed. Consequently, some of these articles are a little older and we haven’t been able to get the newest stories to you this time. However, we think that it is fair that those who wrote great articles have them published, and these important stories are read by you.
Words by Jasmine Crowhurst, News Co-Editor
Jamal Edwards MBE, British entrepreneur, music video mogul and the University of Sussex’s first Entrepreneur in Residence has died at the age of 31.
Edwards sadly passed away on Sunday 20th February after a sudden illness.
His loss is felt strongly by those in the music industry and countless young people he inspired as a role model for cultural change.
Edwards was the founder of SBTV – a project he realized at 15, when he was given a video camera and began filming friends rapping and performing, which became a fully fledged platform where underground music, talent and culture could thrive when it had no mainstream stage or spotlight.
In 2014, Jamal was awarded an MBE at the age of 24 for his services to music. He served as an ambassador for the Prince of Wales’s charity, the Prince’s Trust. Jamal also founded grassroots youth charity JE Delve, which runs youth clubs in London.
SBTV launched in 2006 and has helped launch the careers of many artists including Ed Sheeran and Jessie J. He also filmed others such as Stormzy, Dave, Emeli Sandé, Rita Ora, Krept & Konan, Yungen, Nines, Tori Kelly, Bugzy Malone and Cadet. By 2019, the SBTV YouTube channel had more than one million subscribers.
SBTV was featured in a Google Chrome advert in 2011. The ads popularity caused the SBTV site to crash and it became the second-most popular UK YouTube video that year.
Last September, Edwards became the first Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Sussex. His appointment as an Entrepreneur in Residence was an exciting opportunity for Sussex students to receive support for their own ambitions to become entrepreneurs.
At the time he said: “It’s an honour to be the first Entrepreneur in Residence at Sussex. I’m available to give students advice about how to start their business and to remind them not to doubt themselves.”
“I believe that everyone has the potential to be an entrepreneur. Business is all based around having great ideas, unlocking creativity and then having the tools to take them to the next level. I’m looking forward to hearing new ideas from the students, getting to know them better and helping them as much as I can.”
“Some people don’t think they have the means or contacts to be able to make their ideas become reality, so it means a lot that I can help to share contacts, opportunities and advice as much as I can.”
“I want the students to know that I’m here to help. No question is off limits.”
Edwards met with students on campus in Autumn 2021 and generously gave his time and business expertise through guest talks, meeting with the student Entrepreneurship Society, acting as a mentor to both student and graduate entrepreneurs, and connecting students and graduates to others in his network.
During his time at the Business School and Careers and Entrepreneurship Centre, Jamal helped ensure equal participation in student entrepreneurship and business creation, encouraging students to be critical thinkers, entrepreneurs, commentators, citizens, and activists.
The Entrepreneur in Residence programme is part of a wide-ranging approach set out in the Sussex 2025 Strategy. It aims to develop the skills and knowledge of students to result in “critical thinkers, entrepreneurs, commentators, citizens and activists.”
