Big up #Jamal - that went very well indeed

"Was nervous but I think that went very well.. I love doing talks like that. Big up everyone at #DMU." That was Jamal Edwards' tweet as he left the lecture hall with the crowd in awe after his inspiring Q&A session.

His post was followed by countless tweets saying how 'humble' and 'passionate' the young entrepreneur was right up to climbing into the taxi outside the Clephan building of De Montfort - waving his goodbyes to the passing audience along the way

During the hour long Q&A, Jamal answered many questions about his background, his acheivements, his struggles and of future ventures for himself and his leading UK online youth broadcasting site - SBTV. He answered all questions put to concerning his celebrity saying "it's nuts" and "it's just crazy", showing genuine modesty surrounding his achievements.

Jamal promoted self-belief and hard work acting, also telling how he uses his expertise to help others wanting to get into the music/entertainment business. Quoting Robert R. Kennedy's words, "Some people see things as they are and ask why? I dream things that never were and ask, why not?" Jamal said this was a quote he often refers to in life. He also revealed an exclusive of a new artist he had filmed just the day before, allowing us a glimpse of his world.

A perfect representative of the strength and creativity of the younger generation, Jamal Edwards - CEO age twenty-one, was simply real and inspirational.


Celia Wilding

"Chase your dreams, not the competition"

Jamal Edwards' talk had the highest percentage of youths in the audience. As a "youth" myself, I shouldn't have noticed. But I love that as a young, accessible entrepreneur, Edwards has managed to interest so many of my generation in pushing their potential. He didn't audition for a show like Britain's Got Talent or The X-Factor but, as a normal guy from a normal background, he made himself a business out of nothing but his own passion and a camera he received for Christmas. His business that has led to the success of other artists, one of the more famous ones being Ed Sheeran.

Listening to Edwards talk made me realise what a natural businessman he was, which was lucky as he doesn't appear to have been taught any business at school. He spoke of new ventures which he's undertaking as he doesn't want to exclude or alienate anyone from SBTV. He wants to continue letting it grow and change. He mentioned expanding overseas as well as posting videos of poetry.

He's a businessman without the greed. Though he likes the money, he claims that if you're only doing it for the money then it will not go well. He puts his success down mainly to being his own target audience. Shrewd.

He clearly wants to be an inspiration and a role model, but at the moment he humbly believes that he has yet to reach that stage - and that he hasn't reached his fullest potential yet. But when you knock out quotes like "chase your dreams, not the competition" and already own a very successful business at the age of 21, it's obvious that you're going to be an inspiration.


Maz Haynes and Elise Cook

Getting me some culture, innit?

When I tell people I'm going to the Cultural eXchanges festival, those unacquainted with it often respond with a bemused look and a comment like, "Cultural what? What liiiiiiike... art and s**t?"

Well. Sort of. When I explain that actually, it's a whole week of dance, literature, poetry, films, with appearances from celebrities like Jamal Edwards, Murray Melvin, Gwyneth Lewis and Hustle's Adrian Lester for little or no money, people's expressions change.

Being a newcomer myself, I'm excited for next week. I've never been to a festival quite like this one, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens when lots of creative types are thrown into one place at one time.

In a world where students are constantly told it's near impossible to get a job in media, art, writing, and so on, it will be interesting to see a group of successful people in these fields who have got these jobs, and to figure out how they did it.

To book for the events running Monday 27th Feb - Friday 4th March click here.


Natalie Beech

"Don't watch me. Watch SBTV"

Next week, Cultural eXchanges is coming to De Montfort University, bringing with it many inspirational speakers.

One of these is the phenomenal, Jamal Edwards, CEO of the online music channel SBTV, who turned his hobby into an online empire.

This is one talk that I am particularly interested in as the 21-year-old entrepreneur is only a few years older than myself.

Of course I am interested in the other talks, but this is definitely one that I didn't hesistate over when parting with £2 out of my pitiful funds.

As a follower of Jamal on twitter, it is clear from his persistent tweets that he is very passionate about his work and with 71,321 followers I think it's safe to say that people want to 'follow' his life.

The google chrome advert is just a short summary of his immense success...



Holly Ellis