Jamal Edwards' sister on celebrating SBTV's 20-year legacy and hopes of discovering new talent

Image source, SBTV

Pioneering DJ and entrepreneur Jamal Edwards founded SBTV in 2006

Launched in the early days of YouTube with homemade videos featuring emerging artists, online music channel SBTV went on to shake up the music industry.

Pioneering DJ and entrepreneur Jamal Edwards founded the grime and rap music platform back in 2006 after he got a camcorder for Christmas and started filming his friends on the council estate where he grew up in west London.

It helped launch the careers of many acts including Dave, Ed Sheeran, Jessie J and Skepta.

By the age of 23, Jamal was a multimillionaire and channelling his success into helping others. He was awarded an MBE for his services to music in 2014.

He died aged 31 in 2022 of cardiac arrhythmia following drug use, prompting a flood of tributes from those who he helped support.

As the channel marks its 20th anniversary, it is set to bring back some of its freestyle formats in the hope of discovering a new generation of rappers.

Image source, Tanisha Edwards

Tanisha Edwards took over as the CEO of SBTV following Jamal’s death

His sister has been keeping his legacy going by taking over as CEO of SBTV.

Tanisha, who is also a singer-songwriter and producer, feels in a world where algorithms influence what we listen to, it’s important to still have platforms curated by music lovers.

“I know how it feels as an artist and trying to put yourself out there and break through those doors,” she says.

“So I think it’s very key to still have a platform that does want to help up-and-coming talent, that does want to go to places on the map that you wouldn’t mainly really go to.”

A host of the artists who were platformed on the channel, including Tinie Tempah, Lady Leshurr and Tinchy Stryder, are also set to perform at a one-off show held in London’s O2 arena next week to mark the 20-year milestone.

The event, which will also see artists like Dappy, Headie One and Ms Banks take to the stage, will raise money for the Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust.

Image source, Getty Images

Rapper Nolay says she would support anything in memory of Jamal as he a “catalyst” in her career and a friend

Tanisha says being able to honour her brother’s legacy “means everything”.

“Obviously he’s not physically here with us,” she says.

“But to be able to carry on his name and carry on the work he did and be able to push his message of self-belief.

“And finding the next generation of talent, working with all these artists that he’s previously worked with… I just feel really grateful, honoured and blessed that we’re able to continue his name and legacy in such a way.”

Rappers Nolay and Griminal are among those who see Jamal as a “catalyst” for their careers and say they’re excited to celebrate his impact at the upcoming show.

Griminal recalls how the DJ had a “positive energy and spirit” and an eye for spotting “raw talent”.

Nolay tells Newsbeat Jamal not only championed her work, but opened her eyes to the power of promoting your music online and creating a brand for yourself.

Boosting yourself on social media to break into the music industry has become a given in 2026 – something Nolay says has made things feel less “real”.

“We’re in a day and time where the connection’s kind of being lost because of evolution and technology,” Nolay says.

“But what happens is authenticity becomes lost along the way by doing that.

“And to have something like SBTV there and revert back to what Jamal was doing in the first place, it’s gonna [be] such a large platform for artists that feel disheartened.”

• You can hear more about SBTV’s legacy from the team’s takeover on DJ Target’s show on BBC Sounds.

You can hear more about SBTV’s legacy from the team’s takeover on DJ Target’s show on BBC Sounds.

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays – or listen back Jamal Edwards' sister on celebrating SBTV's.

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