MOBO Awards Founder Kanya King Dies at 57 After Cancer Battle
Founder of the MOBO Awards, Kanya King, has died at the age of 57 after a battle with colon cancer.
Her death was confirmed by the MOBO Organisation, which described her as a fearless pioneer who transformed the landscape of British music by creating a platform dedicated to celebrating “Music of Black Origin.”
Kanya King passed away peacefully on June 3, 2026, surrounded by family and close friends after living with stage four colon cancer, which she publicly revealed in 2024.
Born in Kilburn, London, to a Ghanaian father and Irish mother, she founded the MOBO Awards in 1996 at a time when Black music was often overlooked by mainstream award platforms. She famously remortgaged her home to fund the first ceremony, driven by a vision to give Black artists a global stage.
Over the years, the MOBO Awards grew into one of the most influential music ceremonies in the UK, helping to spotlight generations of artists across R&B, hip-hop, grime, Afrobeats, and soul.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the music industry, with many describing her as a cultural architect whose work changed the direction of British music and opened doors for countless artists.
The MOBO Organisation also announced that future editions of the awards will honor her legacy, recognizing her lifelong commitment to representation, diversity, and artistic excellence.
As the music world reflects on her passing, Kanya King is being remembered not only as an award founder but as a visionary who reshaped global appreciation for Black music and culture.
