The late Jamal Edwards MBE (24 August 1990 – 20 February 2022) will always be known as someone who selflessly helped others in every aspect of his life and career. This year he will be recognised in the Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS) for his outstanding contribution to the music industry as a music entrepreneur, DJ and founder of the multifaceted music platform SB.TV. He had a big heart and even bigger dreams. This is the first MITS Award to be given posthumously. Jamal is also the youngest recipient of the award, showing the incredible amount that he achieved in his 31 years; his endless positive energy and invaluable contributions to the music industry.
The award will be presented to Jamal’s family on Monday 7th November at a gala ceremony in The Great Room, Grosvenor House Hotel, held in aid of the BRIT Trust, Nordoff Robbins and The Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust, the charity set up by his family in 2022 to honour his memory and continue Jamal’s incredible legacy. The trust’s objectives are to support those causes that mattered most to Jamal; combatting homelessness, supporting people with mental health issues and providing young people with essential life skills.
The artists making this special night for Jamal even more memorable include Little Simz, Jorja Smith, Mahalia and Max Cyrus; four immensely talented artists who will each pay their own personal tribute to him with their performances. This will be a collective moment to celebrate Jamal; one of the industry’s most loved figures, and all of his achievements, the music careers he shaped and most importantly, the many lives he touched.
Jamal’s acknowledgement follows 2021 MITS honouree Pete Tong MBE, and sees him join the ranks of previous recipients including Annie Lennox OBE, Kylie Minogue, Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Emma Banks, Rob Stringer, Sir Lucian Grainge, Ahmet Ertegun, Michael Eavis CBE, and Roger Daltrey CBE.
MOBO Award winning artist, Mahalia, paid tribute to Jamal saying, “The first time I met Jamal, I was 12 in a field at Bestival. At first, he kind of looked at me like I was crazy and then he smiled and said “go on, then.” A year later, he put me on SBTV for my first official online performance. He was one of the first people to truly believe in me and give me a platform and I will always feel somehow indebted to him for that. His impact on popular music and where the industry is today really can’t be overstated. Love you forever, Jam.” She will be showing her love during her set at the ceremony.
This year’s Mercury Prize winner Little Simz will pay tribute to Jamal, via her performance at the MITS after her MOBO Award, Ivor Novello and NME Award win. She will be joined by Grammy nominated artist Jorja Smith who has progressed from an R&B prodigy to an international name working with the likes of Drake, Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar.
Max Cyrus also joins the billing. Cyrus has produced music for numerous shows and films, including Mo Gilligan’s Black British & Funny on Channel 4 and Never Forget Stephen Lawrence. He is a composer, creative writer, poet & music producer aiming to change the narrative one step at a time
Celebrating its 31st year this year, the Music Industry Trusts Award is recognised as one of the true benchmarks of achievement in the UK music business and continues to benefit hugely deserving causes year after year. This year, The MITS Awards supports The BRIT Trust, the principal charity of the UK recorded music industry, with the key aim of improving lives through the power of music and the creative art and Nordoff Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity, who uses music to enrich the lives of people with life-limiting illness, disabilities or feelings of isolation.
Jamal Edwards MBE will be honoured posthumously at these awards to add to the multiple accolades that were sent his way over the years. He was named a Next Generation Leader by Time Magazine (2014), inducted into The British Interactive Media Association Hall of Fame (2016), appointed Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Sussex and received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the University of West London (both 2021) to name just a few. From music to filmmaking, to youth work, business, mental health and fashion -Jamal Edwards made a huge impact.
The ceremony in Jamal’s honour takes place on Monday 7th November Grosvenor House Hotel. Final tickets on sale here: www.mitsaward.co.uk
