Tributes paid to MOBO Awards founder and cultural pioneer Kanya King, dead at 57

Published on

05/06/2026 - 15:34 GMT+2

The MOBO Organisation has announced that British entrepreneur and cultural pioneer Kanya King, who founded the annual music award which honours achievements in “music of Black origin”, has died aged 57.

King founded the MOBOs in 1996 as a way to acknowledge and celebrate the music of Black British artists from across genres including hip-hop, grime, pop, R&B, soul, jazz, and more.

From Goldie to Gabrielle, Ms Dynamite to Stormzy, Little Simz to Olivia Dean, the MOBOs have celebrated and awarded countless artists that have gone to shape and define contemporary music.

“It is with immeasurable sorrow that the MOBO Organisation announces the passing of its Founder and CEO, Kanya King CBE,” read the organisation’s statement.

“The music world has lost one of its most fearless champions,” it added, going on to share how she built the organisation as a “a single mother from a Kilburn council estate who was told that Black music was too niche, that there was no market and that the industry was not interested.”

“Instead of arguing, she built. Six weeks later, the first MOBO Awards was broadcast to the nation, and nothing was ever the same again.”

“MOBO did not just celebrate Black music; it legitimised it, amplified it and transformed the cultural landscape of the UK. From Stormzy, Little Simz and RAYE to Craig David, Ms. Dynamite, Amy Winehouse, Central Cee and countless others, generations of artists have benefited from Kanya King's vision. She built a platform that reached hundreds of millions of people around the world.”

King announced that she had been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in 2024 and the statement confirmed that she died “peacefully on 3 June 2026 after a courageous and characteristically determined battle with colon cancer.”

Many tributes have been paid following the announcement of her death.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan called King "a true pioneer" who "changed the face of culture and music", while Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "She was a real pioneer who changed British music for the better through the MOBO Awards."

Rapper Stormzy paid tribute by posting heart and dove emojis, Mis-Teeq singer Alesha Dixon called King an "incredible woman" whose “impact is immeasurable", and Idris Elba said she was gone "too soon".

The actor added: "You inspired me. Your dedication is unmatched. I will miss you @kanyakingcbe, we will all miss you."

JLS’ Oritsé Williams called King "a pioneer" who had "created a powerful platform that championed cultures, communities and talent that were often unseen and underrepresented, despite our cultural influence being felt across the world".

He added: "You didn't just create opportunities; you created belief. Belief in our culture, our creativity and our potential. You are an icon, a true visionary, I trust and believe that your impact will be felt for generations to come."

RIP Kanya King 1969 - 2026