MOBO Awards Founder Kanya King Dies After Courageous Battle With Colon Cancer

The music industry is mourning the loss of Kanya King, the visionary founder of the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards, who has died after a battle with colon cancer. Her passing was confirmed by the MOBO Organisation, which described her fight against the disease as “courageous and characteristically determined.”

King was widely celebrated for creating one of the UK’s most influential music platforms. In 1996, she launched the MOBO Awards to recognize and celebrate music of Black origin at a time when genres such as R&B, hip-hop, reggae, gospel, and later grime were receiving little recognition from mainstream award bodies. What began as a bold idea funded largely from her own pocket grew into a cultural institution that helped shape the careers of countless artists.

Born in London to a Ghanaian father and Irish mother, King overcame significant personal and professional challenges throughout her life. Raised in a working-class household and becoming a mother at a young age, she often spoke about facing rejection and being underestimated. Those experiences fueled her determination to create opportunities for others and challenge barriers within the entertainment industry.

Under her leadership, the MOBO Awards became a major platform for both British and international stars. Artists including Craig David, Amy Winehouse, Stormzy, Kano, Rihanna, Destiny’s Child, Usher, Janet Jackson, and many others graced the MOBO stage over the years. The awards played a key role in bringing Black music into the mainstream and celebrating its impact on global culture.

King’s contributions extended beyond music. She was a passionate advocate for diversity and representation across the creative industries and used her influence to champion greater opportunities for underrepresented communities. Her work earned her an MBE and later a CBE for services to music and culture.

In December 2024, King publicly revealed that she had been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. Despite her health challenges, she remained active and continued supporting the organization she built. She was last seen publicly at the 2026 MOBO Awards in Manchester, where the ceremony celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Kanya King’s legacy goes far beyond an awards show. She created a platform that gave visibility to generations of artists, challenged industry norms, and helped reshape the landscape of British music. Her impact will continue to be felt for years to come through the countless careers she helped launch and the doors she opened for future generations.