As a kid, Jamal Edwards started out on a London council estate recording videos of his friends rapping on a camera his parents bought him for his 15th birthday.
To allow all his friends access their videos more easily, he began posting the videos to a new video-sharing website called YouTube. When he noticed the videos attracting more and more views, he contacted YouTube to ask if he was entitled to a percentage of any advertising revenue generated on the back of the videos. Three times YouTube told him no, but the fourth time they listened, and he received a royalty cheque for a few hundred pounds a couple of weeks later.
As the cheques got bigger, Jamal expanded and created his own YouTube channel, his own digital production company SB.TV, and now he makes videos for music stars like Ed Sheeran. To fund the SB.TV venture he worked part-time in Topman. And now he has come full circle…
These are just two examples of Jamal’s designs and style. Images via TOPMAN
On Thursday the 9th of October (THAT’S TODAY CALENDAR FANS), he releases a hat collection in collaboration with his one-time employers. The hats are emblazoned with the 3B’s logo standing for Base, Body and Business. Edwards sees the need for looking after all three, keeping fit, eating well and continuing to succeed in business. That’s his mantra.
He has certainly succeeded thus far, especially in business, with SB.TV is worth 7 million pounds and counting. Sir Richard Branson was one of the first to notice and appreciate his talent and funded some of his start-up movements.
This hat collection, ‘Jamal Edwards x American Freshman’ might just earn the entrepreneur a few more pounds. It might also help introduce his name and business to a fertile American TV and digital market.
He won’t be getting my money I’m afraid. I can’t wear hats. I’ll leave them to the Freshmen. Check out the full collection here…
Main image via TOPMAN.
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