Grammy-nominated Jorja Smith and 2022 Best New Artist Brit Award winner Little Simz will perform at tonight’s Music Industry Trusts (MITS) Award posthumously honouring Jamal Edwards MBE at The Grosvenor House Hotel.
This year’s Music Industry Trusts (MITS) Award will honour late Jamal Edwards MBE’s (24 August 1990 – 20 February 2022) impact on culture in Britain and contribution to the music industry as a DJ, music entrepreneur and founder of the music platform SBTV. The channel has launched some of the careers of Britain’s most known artists such as Dave, Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and others.
Jamal will be the youngest recipient of the award, showcasing his 31 years of achievements and his indelible mark on the industry and the lives and careers of multiple artists.
The award will be received by Jamal’s mother Brenda Edwards who said: “We know that Jamal will be looking down on us on 7th November – busting with pride that his absolute love of the music industry and giving back to the less fortunate in society has been recognised in this way.”
In an interview with the BBC, Ed Sheeran said: “I really don’t think I would have been given the opportunities that I was given had it not been for Jamal putting his arm around me.” Sheeran also added that he owes much of his career success to his late friend’s support.
Considered as a benchmark of achievement in the UK music business, the MITS have been taking place since 1992 at The Grosvenor House Hotel. Guests and industry members get together to highlight achievements of their peers and raise funds for music charities Nordoff Robbins and The BRIT Trust.
This year’s ceremony will also raise funds for The Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust, a charity set up by his family to honour his memory and extend his legacy.
Jamal’s name will rank next to previous recipients including Kylie Minogue, Annie Lennox, Emma Banks, Sir Elton John and many others.