Kanya King, the founder and CEO of the MOBO Awards, has died at 57 after a battle with colon cancer.
The MOBO Organisation announced that King died peacefully on June 3, surrounded by family, close friends, and love. The group said the music world had lost one of its most fearless champions.
King launched the MOBO Awards in 1996 to celebrate music of Black origin and give wider recognition to artists who were often overlooked by mainstream award shows. The platform became an important part of British music culture, spotlighting genres including R&B, hip-hop, grime, soul, garage, and reggae.
Her work helped create space for generations of artists and brought broader attention to Black music’s influence in the U.K. and beyond.
King was also recognized for her contribution to music and culture, receiving a CBE in 2018.
The 2026 MOBO Awards, marking the organization’s 30th anniversary, will be dedicated to her memory.