TRIBUTES have been paid to SBTV founder Jamal Edwards following his death at the age of 31.

The entrepreneur helped launch the careers of acts including rapper Dave, Ed Sheeran and Jessie J through his influential online platform SBTV, which he founded in 2006 as a YouTube channel.

Before his death, Jamal was selected by the University of Sussex to be one of its entrepreneurs in residence – a role designed to inspire and support students who with to start their own business.

Brighton singer Sam Tompkins wrote a moving tribute to Jamal, who he credits with helping him break into the music industry when he was 16-year-olds.

The pair met at an SBTV event at London’s Southbank centre and Jamal offered Sam the chance to perform on his YouTube channel.

Sam said: “I am totally heartbroken. I remember being obsessed with Jamal in my teenage years.

“Being 16 years old and finding out that he was in Southbank holding an event, bringing my guitar and playing him a song.

“No one gave a single s*** about what I was doing back then, but he saw something in me that perhaps I didn’t even see myself yet.

“He told me he was going to support me and put me on my favourite YouTube channel, @sbtvonline and the rest is history.

“It’s hard to imagine what my life and so many other lives would’ve been like had it not been for Jamal.

“A true pioneer in music and someone I will miss and be thankful for, for the rest of my life.

“Rest in peace to someone who changed British music forever.”

Jamal was an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, a charity headed by the Prince of Wales, and in 2014 he was awarded an MBE for his services to music.

He was the son of Loose Women panellist Brenda Edwards, who finished fourth in the second series of the X Factor in 2005.

Jamal's death was announced yesterday.

The University of Sussex described Jama as an “inspirational and gifted entrepreneur.”

A spokesman said: We're deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jamal Edwards MBE, one of our wonderful entrepreneurs in residence.

“We were excited to partner with such an inspirational and gifted entrepreneur and his death comes as a shock to us all as a university community.

“Our thoughts go out to Jamal’s friends and family at this incredibly sad time.”

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