MOBO Awards founder Kanya King dies at 57 after battle with colon cancer

King launched the MOBOs in 1996 after identifying a lack of recognition for Black artists in British music industry

Kanya King, the pioneering entrepreneur who founded the MOBO Awards and helped transform the landscape of Black British music, has died at the age of 57 following a battle with colon cancer. The news was confirmed by the MOBO Organisation, which announced that King passed away on 3 June surrounded by family and close friends.

King launched the MOBO Awards, short for Music of Black Origin, in 1996 after identifying a lack of recognition for Black artists within the British music industry. Working as a television researcher at the time, she famously remortgaged her home to fund the inaugural ceremony, which went on to become one of the UK's most influential music events.

Over the next three decades, the MOBOs helped shine a spotlight on genres including R&B, hip-hop, garage, grime, soul and drill, while providing a platform for artists such as Stormzy, Dave, Craig David, Little Simz and Central Cee. The awards became a major force in British music culture and were widely credited with helping bring Black music into the mainstream.

In a statement announcing her death, the MOBO Organisation paid tribute to King's impact, saying she was "one of its most fearless champions" and describing her work as far more than an awards ceremony. The organisation said her vision helped legitimise and amplify Black music at a time when many artists were overlooked by the wider industry.

King publicly revealed in 2024 that she had been diagnosed with stage four bowel, or colon, cancer. Despite her illness, she continued to advocate for diversity in music and remained involved with the MOBOs, using her platform to encourage greater awareness around early cancer detection.

Born in north London to a Ghanaian father and Irish mother, King built a career that extended beyond music. She was appointed a CBE in 2018 for services to music and culture and was recognised as one of Britain's most influential Black business leaders. Throughout her career, she championed representation and worked to break down barriers for underrepresented artists and professionals.

Her death comes as the MOBO Awards approach their 30th anniversary, a milestone that stands as a testament to the legacy she created. Tributes from across the music industry have begun pouring in, with artists, executives and fans remembering King as a trailblazer whose influence reshaped British music and opened doors for generations of talent.