Kanya King CBE, the visionary founder and CEO of the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards, has passed away at the age of 57. The organization confirmed her death, stating that she "passed away peacefully after a courageous and characteristically determined battle with colon cancer" on Wednesday, June 3. The announcement added that she was "surrounded by her family, close friends and love." Her passing marks the end of an era for a figure who profoundly shaped the music landscape, particularly for Black artists.

King was the co-founder of the MOBO Awards, an event that recently celebrated a landmark 30th anniversary in 2026, with that year's edition featuring performances from artists like Olivia Dean and FLO. Far more than just an awards ceremony, the MOBOs were described as an "act of cultural justice." The organization's statement emphasized that 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."

Over the decades, the MOBO Awards became a crucial platform for both emerging and established talent. Renowned artists such as Stormzy, Amy Winehouse, 50 Cent, Sade, and Central Cee have all received accolades from the MOBOs. The event also attracted global superstars to its stage, with memorable performances from Rihanna in 2006, Lauryn Hill in 2005, and Destiny’s Child in 1999, further cementing its international significance.

Born in Kilburn, north London, in 1969, to a Ghanaian father and Irish mother, Kanya King's journey to founding the MOBOs was driven by a clear recognition of a void in the music industry. Working as a TV researcher, she co-founded the awards in 1996 alongside Andy Ruffell. She famously remortgaged her house to fund the initial awards, highlighting her unwavering commitment. King noted that at the time, "there was no real infrastructure or clear pathways for Black music here. Institutional recognition was virtually nonexistent," a situation she was determined to change. The inaugural ceremony was even attended by Tony Blair, who would later become the U.K.’s prime minister.

The MOBOs played a pivotal role in spearheading and reacting to the growth of various U.K. music scenes, including garage and grime. King articulated the mission: "We’ve helped artists move from underground to mainstream and from local to global. We’ve validated some of the genres that were sometimes often dismissed. Whether that was early U.K. R&B, garage and grime to Afrobeats. In many cases, the MOBOs gave artists their first national platform at a time when others wouldn’t." Beyond the awards, the MOBOs also initiated social programs aimed at empowering Black creatives, such as the House of MOBOs, established earlier this year to foster collaboration and celebration.

King's remarkable contributions were recognized with national honours, receiving an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1999 and being elevated to a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2018. In 2024, she publicly announced her diagnosis of stage four colon cancer. Despite her battle, her spirit remained indomitable, famously stating at the MOBOs in February 2025, "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."

The MOBO family expressed profound grief and gratitude, stating, "The world was a profoundly better place with Kanya King in it." They added, "The MOBO family is heartbroken, but also endlessly grateful, proud and inspired by everything she gave to music, culture and the generations who will follow in her footsteps." Kanya King is survived by her son, Jem, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering advocacy and cultural empowerment.