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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Dominique Hines

Brenda Edwards cried after hearing Ed Sheeran’s new rap tribute to her son Jamal

Brenda Edwards has said she was left in tears after hearing Ed Sheeran’s rap tribute to her late son Jamal.

Music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards — who died last February aged 31 from a cardiac arrest — had been known for his music platform SBTV, which launched the careers of some of UK’s biggest music acts.

On Tuesday, Sheeran revealed that he would be helping to relaunch F64 [Fresh 64], SBTV’s flagship freestyle rap series.

To kick off the launch, the pop star posted a clip on social media of himself performing a freestyle rap dedicated to Edwards on an empty stage.

During ITV’s Good Morning Britain, the Loose Women star, 53, said she was "overwhelmed" by the gesture.

"Ed sent me the final edit two days ago," she told hosts Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway. "I’ve been in and out of crying ever since. I say happy tears, they’re positive tears. It just means so much."

"Going back to Ed, when Jamal passed, he was at my house with me and [daughter] Tanisha for the whole week, just looking after us.

"There wasn’t anything he wasn’t sorting out and doing.”

Edwards’ SBTV helped launch the careers of many household names, including Sheeran (both pictured) (IJamal Edwardsnstagram/)

She added: "Everybody has been so wonderful and so supportive. I just can’t put it into words the gratitude me and Tanisha feel."

SBTV announced F64 will return on January 19.

"Last year we lost our leader and founder Jamal Edwards, MBE," a statement from the platform read.

"It has been the hardest thing in the world to process as he was the driving force behind so much and such a bright light in all of our lives here at team SB.

Ed Sheeran has been a rock for the late Jamal Edwards’ sister, Tanisha Artman, and mother, Brenda Edwards (Getty Images)

"Jamal had a unique connection with artists and creatives and was happiest when he was connecting and creating. His journey began locally but took him on a global adventure on the way forming unique bonds.

"One of these bonds was with long-time friend and brother Ed Sheeran. From a tweet to a long-lasting brotherhood.

"With the return of the flagship series F64 Ed Sheeran kicks us off with a tribute to Jamal."

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