Brenda Edwards accepts an award in honour of her late son Jamal Edwards at the Music Industry Trust

Loose Women’s Brenda Edwards delivered an emotional speech on Monday as she received a Music Industry Trust Award on behalf of her late son Jamal Edwards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

The SBTV founder and music entrepreneur died of a heart attack in February at the age of 31 after using cocaine and drinking alcohol – seven years after receiving an MBE for services to the industry.

Brenda, 53, was supported onstage by daughter Tanisha, 27, as she told the star-studded audience: ‘I am blown away and Jamal was going to be blown away by tonight’.

Hosted by DJ and presenter Gemma Cairney, the evening featured exceptional performances celebrating Jamal from some of the UK’s best names, including Little Simz, Jorja Smith, Mahalia, Max Cyrus and The BRIT School.

Brenda was also supported at the event by fellow Loose Women Jane Moore, Coleen Nolan and Linda Robson.

Brenda accepted the award on behalf of her son and gave the standing ovation: “I would like to thank Dan and Toby and the MITS Committee for recognizing Jamal with this prestigious award.

“It was such an honor to hear so much great talent in one room.”

BRIT winning rapper Little Simz concluded the evening, happily telling the crowd: ‘We’re going to have a party here and celebrate this man, all he’s done and all he’s accomplished’.

She continued: ‘He was a go-getter, someone who had a vision… This song makes me feel so…’ before launching her soulful hit Woman.

The evening also featured two tribute videos to the late star with heartfelt words from industry figures and artists such as Stormzy and AJ Tracey.

Jamal founded the pioneering online music platform SBTV in 2006 and was credited with helping launch the careers of a range of British music stars, including singer Jessie J.

His channel, which he used to upload content from emerging talent, gained over 1 million subscribers and also featured Emeli Sande and Rita Ora.

He was also an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, a charity led by King Charles, and was awarded an MBE in 2014 for his services to music.

MITS Award Committee Co-Chairman Toby Leighton-Pope said: “It was an incredibly special space to be in attendance tonight with the music industry coming together to honor Jamal Edwards.”

“Thanks again to the Edwards family for accepting the MITS award on his behalf, and to Little Simz, Jorja Smith, Mahalia and Max Cyrus for their spectacular performances.”

“We are proud to continue raising funds for MIT’s charities, The BRIT Trust and Nordoff Robbins, and through this year, donating funds to The Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust.”

Jamal’s honor follows 2021 MITS honoree Pete Tong MBE, and sees him join the ranks of past recipients including Annie Lennox OBE, Kylie Minogue, Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

This is the first MITS Award to be awarded posthumously, and Jamal is also the youngest recipient of the award, showing how much he has accomplished.

After his untimely death on February 20, 2022, tributes poured in for Jamal, with singer-songwriter Ed showing his extreme sadness towards someone he considered family.

He said, ‘Jamal is my brother. His light shone so bright. He only used it to enlighten others and never asked for anything in return.

“I wouldn’t be here without him, both professionally and personally. There will never be anything close to what he is, but I am so grateful to have existed in his job.”

Jamal’s mother, singer and TV host Brenda, 53, shared a private letter sent to her by King Charles on Loose Women after the Queen’s death, expressing his sadness and deepest condolences.