In 2014 Edwards assisted the launch of the Queen’s Young leaders Programme and actively worked to raise awareness surrounding mental health, on one occasion opening up to Music Week “Anxiety comes over me at the most random times. I wanted to create awareness. As much music is my entry point, I feel a responsibility to talk about these other issues.” Edwards was extremely active in the bettering of young people’s mental health, collaborating with the mental health charity CALM.

 As the unfortunate news surfaced concerning his death on the 20^th  February 2022 many artists and public figures came forward, to express their sadness and gratitude to his contributions. Lady Leshurr, the Birmingham native musician, who had worked closely with Edwards said it was “heart-breaking” to hear the news, as he “gave opportunity after opportunity to showcase talent from Brum to London. We need to keep his name alive.” 

King Charles III the founder of The Princes Trust stated, “His work in music but also as an ambassador for a new generation, including his work for The Princes Trust, were an inspiration to so many.” Brenda Edwards plans to keep making young people feel empowered by continuing her son’s legacy. The Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust held a fundraising event and raised over 100,000. The gala was hosted by Terry Crews and featured performances from Ed Sheeran, Jessie Ware and Max Cyrus along with a surprise performance from Lewis Capaldi.

I’m in tears. So heartbreaking to hear the news of Jamal Edwards prayers to his family and loved ones nothing makes sense anymore @SBTVonline

— #CARMEN (@LadyLeshurr) February 20, 2022

As Brenda speaks on the impact of supporting the youth she says, “I think I can sum it up in two words- self-belief- and that’s what this is all about.” She recounts an instance where Jamal had reiterated, she should have self-belief when she was previously battling cancer, as she said he told her “Mommy have some self-belief” she continued to say “- and that’s what we need to get out of young people for them to remember, because the young people are the future of tomorrow and it’s important for me to give them that platform so they can feel empowered.” The Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust is currently developing a scholarship programme and back to work scheme for young people facing homelessness in partnership with Centrepoint the leading youth homelessness charity in the UK.

GRMDaily wrote about him being a true pioneer within the music industry, stating, “Even from afar, you got the sense that Jamal was someone who really loved what he was doing, and each release felt like it meant something to him, there was a seemingly untainted purity in the uploads, just a man who loved music and wanted to share his love with the world, no strings attached. In an industry as treacherous as the music industry, clean hearts don’t always win, despite what people’s Instagram captions might tell you, so it was really refreshing to see Jamal continue to go from strength to strength with his labour of love.”

As a result of his outstanding contribution to the music industry, Jamal Edwards MBE is to be honoured with this year’s prestigious Music Industry Trusts Award (MITS). The posthumous award recognises just how much Jamal shaped the UK music scene. The Co-chair of the MITS Award committee, Toby Leighton-Pope, vocalised, “Jamal Edwards changed the face of the music industry in his 31 years, his achievements could be on par with someone 60 years into the business. His influence on the music scene as it is today should never be underestimated, just look at some of the U.K.’s biggest artists, tours and hits today, and Jamal will have played a part in some way. That’s why he is so deserving of this year’s MITS Award.” 

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