Switching up the game: The legacy of Jamal Edwards
Jamal Edwards MBE is now being recognised at greater levels for his contributions. The sudden death of the music pioneer and entrepreneur sent shockwaves throughout news outlets and social media in February. What can we learn from his others-first example in his work and creativity?
REWRITING THE SCRIPT
Maybe it’s time that we assessed the lines we draw around what it means to help others or offer service. Providing clean water and education in areas of abject poverty are certainly pillars of investing in society, but have we narrowed our view of what it is to be working towards a better world?
Back in February, news broke of the tragic passing of Jamal Edwards MBE, a man who made waves in the music industry through founding digital platform SBTV which unearths emerging youth artists, highlighting some of the best upcoming artists.
In the wake of any unexpected loss where the individual is known widely, social channels will become awash with odes testifying to tales of their impact. In the case of Jamal Edwards, this hit differently. But, why?
FOR THE LONG HAUL
Last week it was announced that Jamal will be the recipient of this year’s ‘Music Industry Trusts Award’, a significant recognition previously bestowed on Sir Elton John among others. A testament to the scope of his influence on modern music, this comes in addition to his receipt of an MBE in 2014.
Through his dedicated work, Jamal Edwards designed a lasting legacy that was loud and clear long before his death at a mere 31 years old.
More than taking his passion for music and skill to create, he established a space that earned him mogul status amongst peers and industry giants alike. What is different is that he built something which by its very nature, gave voice and airtime to those who would have been unlikely to receive it otherwise.
Defying norms of a ruthless industry, Jamal and his outlet of SBTV have given rise to a new generation of music, especially to young black men and women, instilling confidence and accolade at a global level.
In this case, promoting the talents of others and celebrating them has meant that many have become beneficiaries of Jamal choosing to go beyond personal gain. He may never have built a well in a developing nation, but Jamal Edwards’ altruism has shown us a different kind of preferring others.
A ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
As the prevailing narrative of our culture teaches us to hustle and grind through our twenties and thirties as the only way to establish ourselves, countercultural examples of this stand out.
In the Bible, it says, ‘That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?’ (Matthew 6:25, NLT).
Has our need to self-invest and get ourselves together meant we can only serve others when we feel secure and set up?
Rather than waiting for our latter years when we seem adequately satisfied with our achievements and positioned to help, perhaps there is a path where success and service are not mutually exclusive.
Faith in God defies waiting for a moment where tangible things give us the confidence to take a step toward others, and challenges us to take that step in the present time, ‘Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.’ (Hebrews 11:1, NLT).
USING WHAT WE HAVE NOW
Jamal’s life encourages using our influence to open doors for others even before we know the outcome for ourselves.
Many years before the general public would have known Jamal’s name, SBTV was instrumental for now internationally renowned artists like Jessie J and Ed Sheeran, not to mention countless others.
One writer and friend of Jamal’s, Abraham Adeyemi shared, ‘You were always looking for ways to plug people, championing people’s names in rooms they weren’t present in, myself included - so often it’s come back to me that you put my name forward for something, recommended me to someone, sang my praises.’
The brevity of life strikes us when we learn of lives being lost suddenly, and can cause us to question not so much what we have acquired, either in status or wealth, but what we will leave behind. This can be vital to our introspection of not only what we want to do, but who we want to become.
STEPPING IT UP
We can easily discount or disregard ourselves if we don’t feel kind or philanthropic enough in our work, and then guilt trip ourselves for not being as outward-looking as others appear to be.
The truth is, it’s easy to think we aren’t in the type of career where celebrating or promoting others is the proper or done thing, particularly if we’re pitched in competition against our colleagues.
Taking opportunities to encourage, speak well of others in their absence, and recommend them to those in seats of influence are simple but powerful acts that we can all choose to engage in.
Jamal's recognition after his death helps us to see the impact of going beyond traditional and charitable means of elevating others, and question what it looks like to unlock doors and leave them open for others in our lives.
WORDS BY
Rachel Calland
