The music and entertainment industry is mourning the loss of Kanya King, the visionary founder of the MOBO Awards, who has died at the age of 57 after a battle with colon cancer.
Her passing was confirmed by the MOBO Organisation, which announced that King died on June 3, 2026, following what was described as a courageous fight against the illness.
Kanya King was widely celebrated for creating the MOBO Awards in 1996, an event that became one of the most influential platforms for recognizing and promoting Black music and culture in the United Kingdom and beyond.
Through the awards, she helped shine a spotlight on countless artists across genres including hip-hop, R&B, soul, reggae, Afrobeats, and grime, giving many performers a platform to reach wider audiences.
Born in north London to a Ghanaian father and an Irish mother, King overcame numerous challenges throughout her life and career to become one of the most respected figures in the entertainment industry.Her vision and determination transformed the MOBO Awards into a globally recognized institution that celebrated diversity, talent, and cultural excellence.
Over the years, the platform played a significant role in supporting emerging and established artists, helping shape the careers of many musicians who later achieved international success.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the entertainment world, with many remembering King not only as a businesswoman and entrepreneur but also as a pioneer who broke barriers and created opportunities for underrepresented voices in music.Her legacy lives on through the impact of the MOBO Awards and the generations of artists and creatives she inspired throughout her remarkable career.
