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The global music industry is mourning the death of Kanya King, the visionary founder of the MOBO Awards, who has died at the age of 57 after a courageous battle with colon cancer.
Her passing was confirmed by the MOBO Organisation in an emotional statement shared on Instagram. According to the organisation, King passed away peacefully on June 3, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones after fighting the illness with remarkable strength and determination.
The announcement described her death as a profound loss not only to her family and friends but also to the music industry she helped transform through decades of dedication and advocacy.
“It is with immeasurable sorrow that the MOBO Organisation announces the passing of its Founder and CEO, Kanya King CBE,” the statement read.
“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.”
King’s journey to becoming one of Britain’s most influential music executives began more than three decades ago when she identified a glaring gap in the entertainment industry. At a time when Black music genres received limited recognition from mainstream institutions, she envisioned a platform that would celebrate and elevate artists from underrepresented communities.
Determined to bring that vision to life, she took an enormous personal risk. In 1996, she reportedly remortgaged her home to fund the launch of the Music of Black Origin Awards, popularly known as the MOBO Awards.
The decision came despite warnings from critics who believed there was little appetite for an awards platform dedicated to Black music and culture. Rather than being discouraged, King pushed forward, driven by her belief that artists deserved recognition regardless of genre or background.
Born in Kilburn, North London, to a Ghanaian father and an Irish mother, King grew up with an appreciation for cultural diversity and music. Her experiences shaped her understanding of the challenges faced by Black artists seeking mainstream recognition.
Through the MOBO Awards, she created a platform that celebrated genres such as hip-hop, R&B, reggae, gospel, soul, jazz, and Afrobeats long before many of them received widespread industry acceptance.
Over the years, the awards became one of the most respected music events in the United Kingdom, helping to launch and elevate the careers of numerous artists.
The MOBO Organisation credited King with opening doors for several major stars, including Stormzy, Little Simz, Craig David, Ms. Dynamite, Kano, and Central Cee, among many others.
According to the organisation, her influence extended far beyond music awards.
“What Kanya created was never simply an awards ceremony. It was an act of cultural justice. MOBO did not just celebrate Black music; it legitimised it, amplified it and transformed the cultural landscape of the UK,” the statement noted.
Throughout her career, King received numerous honours in recognition of her contributions to music and culture. She was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and was also presented with an honour from the The Ivors Academy in 2025.
Even after being diagnosed with cancer, she remained actively involved in her work and continued to champion diversity within the entertainment industry.
Organisers recalled her appearance at the 2025 MOBO Awards in Newcastle, where she delivered a message that reflected her resilience and determination.
“I never allowed someone to define my limits. Not in life. Not in business. And I’m certainly not going to have that happen now,” she said.
As tributes continue to pour in from artists, executives, and fans around the world, many are celebrating a woman whose vision changed the trajectory of British music.
The MOBO Organisation has confirmed that the 2026 edition of the awards, which marks the event’s 30th anniversary, will be dedicated to King’s memory, ensuring that her legacy continues to inspire future generations of artists and creatives.
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