Jamal Edwards, the founder of SBTV, a key platform for breaking artists in the U.K., has died at the age of 31. Figures from across the music industry have paid tribute.

Edwards is known for helping launch the careers of, among others, Ed Sheeran, Dave, Jessie J and J Hus through SBTV, which first arrived as a YouTube channel featuring performances and music videos. Today, it boasts 1.22m subscribers.

Edwards later created the talent discovery app 8BARS and founded the grassroots youth-center project Jamal Edwards Delve, with funding from Google. Edwards was also involved in fashion and directing and campaigned for more awareness of mental health.

In 2014 he was awarded an MBE for his service to music and in 2016 was named to Debrett’s list of the U.K.’s 500 most influential people.

Edwards' mother, Brenda, confirmed the news this morning, saying that he passed away after a "brief illness." She said: "Jamal was an inspiration to me and so many. Our love for him lives on. His legacy lives on."

Thank you for everythingðŸ™ðŸ¿â¤ï¸ words can’t explain pic.twitter.com/24zqPJoW5X
— SANTAN (@Santandave1) February 20, 2022

RIP Jamal Edwards, west london legend status âœŠðŸ½ðŸ‘‘ðŸ’™
— ðŸ¥·ðŸ½ (@ajtracey) February 20, 2022

This man helped so many artists to become who they are today including myself. He gave me opportunity after opportunity to showcase my talent from Brum into London. We need to keep his name and brand alive. This is painful the good always go too soon ðŸ’” @SBTVonline pic.twitter.com/Y3pT4929dp
— #CARMEN ðŸ’œðŸ’” (@LadyLeshurr) February 20, 2022

Struggling to find the right words .. Thank you, Jamal. You will be missed, King. ðŸ’”
— mahalia (@mahalia) February 20, 2022

RIP Jamal Edwards. Giving God thanks that you did what he sent you to do â¤ï¸ So many of us owe our careers to you bro. Thank you for everything pic.twitter.com/ZXkz1dqJvB
— George The Poet ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¬ (@GeorgeThePoet) February 20, 2022

there’s good souls then there’s great souls then there’s Jamal Edwards
— Nadia Rose (@nadiarosemusic) February 20, 2022