Kanya King CBE, the unstoppable force who founded the MOBO Awards and changed the course of British music, has passed away at the age of 59 after a courageous battle with colon cancer. She died peacefully on 3 June 2026, surrounded by family and love.

King’s story has always been one of defiance, grit and radical belief. Thirty years ago, she remortgaged her home, alone, without backing, without permission, to build a platform for Black music at a time when the industry dismissed it as “too niche”. Six weeks later, the first MOBO Awards aired on national television. British culture shifted on its axis.

What she created wasn’t just an awards show. It was cultural justice. A stage that legitimised, amplified and celebrated Black creativity in a country that had too often refused to see it. From Stormzy to Little Simz, Craig David, Soul II Soul, Ms. Dynamite, So Solid Crew, RAYE, Kano, Central Cee and even Amy Winehouse — every artist who stood on that stage carried the imprint of King’s vision.

Her impact reached hundreds of millions worldwide. She earned a CBE, an Ivors Academy Honour, and the respect of an entire industry she refused to let overlook her community. Even after her diagnosis, she remained a presence of power and clarity. At the 2025 MOBOs in Newcastle, she told the crowd: “I never allowed someone to define my limits. Not in life. Not in business.” She meant every word.

The 2026 MOBO Awards, marking the organisation’s 30th anniversary, will be dedicated entirely to her memory. A fitting tribute to a woman who built something from nothing and changed everything.

Kanya King didn’t just open doors, she kicked them off their hinges. She leaves behind a legacy that will only grow stronger, louder and more influential with every generation that follows.

Rest in power, Kanya. You built this. All of it.

MOBO Socials