SBTV20 20th-anniversary celebration at The O2 Review

Twenty years of SBTV deserved something special, and UK music answered the call. More than 30 artists joined forces at The O2 to celebrate the platform that helped turn local talent into household names, honouring founder Jamal Edwards MBE with a bill bursting with grime, rap, R&B and UK Funky favourites.

The guest list alone could send a group chat into meltdown. Wiley, Chip, Roll Deep, Tinchy Stryder and Tinie Tempah appeared alongside Big Narstie, Lady Leshurr, Frisco and Devlin, bringing together voices woven into SBTV’s story. Krept & Konan, Headie One, WSTRN, Dappy and Professor Green added further heavyweight presence, while Shola Ama and Kyla represented another side of the platform’s broad musical family.

With Scorcher, Griminal, NoLay, Tempah T, Big Zuu, Yungen, Rimzee, Miss Banks, RV and Skrapz also involved, this was a celebration with serious depth. DJs Target, Kenny Allstar and Mack 10 joined the proceedings, connecting generations of a scene Jamal helped document and develop.

Behind the stacked lineup sat the evening’s real purpose. Jamal’s mother, Brenda Edwards, and sister, SBTV CEO Tanisha Artman, addressed the audience, reflecting on his belief in sharing success and opening doors for others.

The celebration supported the Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust, which works with young people aged 18 to 25 facing poverty, marginalisation, homelessness and barriers to education and employment. That connection gave the anniversary a purpose reaching well beyond the stage.

From a teenager filming local artists in Acton to a platform capable of bringing this much talent under one roof, SBTV’s journey speaks volumes. The O2 celebration showed just how far Jamal’s vision travelled, while keeping his commitment to opportunity firmly in focus. A huge birthday for SBTV, and a heartfelt salute to the man who gave so many artists their moment.