Kanya King, founder of the MOBO Awards, has died at the age of 57 following a battle with colon cancer.
Her passing was confirmed on Friday, June 5, more than a year after she publicly revealed her diagnosis. In a statement, the MOBO Organization announced the news with “immeasurable sorrow,” describing King as a fearless champion of Black music and culture.
“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,” the statement said.
The organization said the 2026 MOBO Awards, marking the 30th anniversary of the event, would be dedicated to her memory, with every performance and moment honoring her legacy.
King founded the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards in 1996 with the aim of celebrating and elevating Black British music at a time when it received limited mainstream recognition.
She launched the platform after remortgaging her home, building what would become one of the UK’s most influential music award ceremonies.
The organization described her as a “single mother from a Kilburn council estate” who was told the idea would not succeed, but who went on to create a global platform that transformed the music industry.
“What Kanya created was never simply an awards ceremony. It was an act of cultural justice,” the statement added.
Over the years, the MOBO Awards have recognised artists including Stormzy, Craig David, Sade, Kano, Ms Dynamite, Olivia Dean, and Amy Winehouse, helping to elevate Black music into the mainstream.
King was awarded a CBE and received an Ivors Academy Honour in 2025, even as she continued to appear publicly while undergoing treatment.
Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment industry, with artists and public figures praising her legacy, influence, and contribution to music and culture.
Loose Women presenter Judi Love was among the first to pay tribute to King, writing on Instagram: ‘ Queen built a whole legacy for us.🕊️ Rest Well.’
Sir Idris Elba posted: ‘You inspired me. Your energy and dedication is unmatched. I will miss you, we will all miss you Kanya.’
Family members described her as a woman of courage, faith, and resilience who built a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. Her family has requested privacy as they grieve.
King’s death marks the end of a pioneering era for one of the UK’s most influential cultural platforms.
