Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of the MOBO Awards, Dies Aged 57

Kanya King CBE, the visionary founder and CEO of the MOBO Awards, has passed away at the age of 57. Her death marks the loss of one of the music industry’s most influential figures, a woman who dedicated her life to championing Black musicians and reshaping the cultural landscape of the United Kingdom.

The news was confirmed on June 5th, 2026, via an official statement from the MOBO organisation. The statement revealed that King passed away peacefully on June 3rd, 2026, following a courageous battle with colon cancer. “The music world has lost one of its most fearless champions,” the organisation noted, highlighting her unwavering commitment to the artists she supported.

A Legacy of Cultural Justice

King’s journey began in 1996, when she identified a glaring void in the music industry. While working as a television researcher, she took the bold step of using her own money—and remortgaging her home—to establish the first Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards. She launched the initiative without institutional backing or industry support, driven by a singular mission to provide a platform for Black talent that had been systematically overlooked.

Over the past three decades, the MOBO Awards have become a cornerstone of the British music industry, celebrating the achievements of iconic artists such as Dave, Stormzy, Little Simz, Sade, and Amy Winehouse. As the MOBO organisation stated, “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 demonstrated its commercial and creative power to a world that had too often chosen not to see it.”

Tributes from Across the Industry

The impact of King’s work has been felt far beyond the music charts. Her family shared that she faced her illness with the same spirit she brought to her career: “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.”

Tributes have poured in from across the globe. Sir Idris Elba expressed his grief on Instagram, stating, “You inspired me. Your dedication is unmatched. I will miss you Kanya King, we will all miss you.” London Mayor Sadiq Khan lauded her as a “true pioneer” who “changed the face of culture and music,” while Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy noted that King “opened doors for so many and leaves behind an extraordinary legacy.”

The 2026 MOBO Awards, which took place in March to mark the organisation’s 30th anniversary, will be dedicated to her memory. Her influence remains woven into the fabric of modern music, ensuring that her vision of equality and recognition will continue to inspire future generations.

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