Kanya King, founder and CEO of the Music of Black Origin awards (MOBOs), sadly passed away yesterday after a battle with colon cancer, aged 57. Sentiments have poured in from across the music world, celebrating her as a “visionary” who “changed the face of culture and music” in this country.
Born in London in 1969, King battled adversity from a young age, feeling written off by society when she became a mother at 16. As she told the Evening Standard in 2017 “That put a fire in my belly and gave me the motivation to say ‘Why should I not have ambition, little is expected of me?’.” Fuelled by her ambitions to see under-represented black musicians in genres like R&B and hip-hop receive their fair plaudits at award ceremonies, she tirelessly worked to bring the music industry to the table.
When it all came together after months of phone calls from her bedroom, the first MOBOs ceremony was televised and held in London’s Connaught Hotel in 1996. The inaugural event presented Lionel Ritchie with a lifetime achievement award with Tina Turner alongside him onstage, while future Prime Minister Tony Blair was in the crowd with his wife Cherie. When interviewed at the event, Blair emphasised the importance of the MOBOs and the focus on music of black origin, while making it about the music and not skin colour. King agreed, telling BBC News in 2001 “We’ve always said it’s about the music… an event that celebrates music of black origin doesn’t seek to separate artists according to skin colour.”
From there, the awards became a giant entity in the UK music sphere, bringing all of the biggest names in black music and culture together The MOBOs have spear-headed the rise of whole genres like grime and UK drill rap, with artists like Stormzy, Dave, and Krept and Konan receiving international acclaim through the awards. This year, UK Music presented research that black music was the single-biggest driving force in the British music industry, accounting for 80% of the market. King was presented with a CBE in 2018 for contributions to music and culture, and has been noted in many lists of the most influential women in the UK.
In 2024, King was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, writing at the time “While this journey will undoubtedly be challenging, I’ve always believed in finding meaning through adversity.” She made her last public appearance on the red carpet at this year’s MOBOs ceremony in March, the 30th edition of the event. The night saw Olivia Dean take both Best Album and Best Song prizes, as well as Pharell Williams claiming a Global Songwriter awards. Williams addressed King’s determination during her treatment in his speech, saying “when you love what you get to do, you’re never working, you’re just having the time of your life.”
It is with immeasurable sorrow that the MOBO Organisation announces the passing of its Founder and CEO, Kanya King CBE.
Kanya passed away peacefully on 3 June 2026 after a courageous and characteristically determined battle with colon cancer. She was surrounded by her family,… pic.twitter.com/tkuT1dnBa8
— MOBO Awards (@MOBOAwards) June 5, 2026
Kanya King sadly died this Wednesday, as announced by the MOBOs official social media accounts. The statement reads “Kanya passed away peacefully on 3 June 2026 after a courageous and characteristically determined battle with colon cancer. She was surrounded by her family, close friends and love.”
Since the news broke, mourners from across the music industry and beyond have offered their condolences at the loss of such a powerful figure. Mis-teeq singer and TV personality Alesha Dixon wrote that King was “an incredible woman” who “helped so many people, your impact is immeasurable!” Singer Craig David posted “Kanya, your legacy will live on forever through every single one of us you touched with your beautiful heart.”
JLS singer Marvin Humes said “Kanya was a massive supporter of me and JLS. She was an amazing woman who created an unmatchable legacy.” JLS bandmate Oritse Williams posted “The world knows you as a pioneer and entrepreneur, but to many of us you were our big sister, mentor and friend, always encouraging, always supporting and always looking for ways to lift others up.”
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Outside of music, tribute also came from TV presenter Judi Love, who wrote “Queen built a whole legacy for us. Rest Well.” while actor Sir Idris Elba posted the message “You inspired me. Your dedication is unmatched. I will miss you, we will all miss you.” London Mayor Sadiq Khan labelled her a “true pioneer”, adding “she changed the face of culture and music – opening doors and creating opportunities for so many others. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.” Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also wrote that she “changed British music for the better through the MOBO Awards.”
King’s family issued a statement – “She faced every moment of her illness as she faced every moment of her life: with courage, with faith, with humour, and with an absolute refusal to be diminished. Through the Mobos, she gave “an entire generation of black British artists the right to be seen, to be celebrated, and to be heard on their own terms.” “Kanya leaves behind 30 years of music of joy, of resistance, of proof – proof that one woman, with vision, nerve, and love, can move an entire culture.”
