Kanya King, the visionary founder of the MOBO Awards, has died at the age of 57 following a battle with colon cancer.
Her death was confirmed on Friday, June 5, more than a year after she publicly disclosed her diagnosis. In a statement, the MOBO Organisation announced the news with what it described as “immeasurable sorrow,” paying tribute to King as a fearless champion of Black music and culture.
“Kanya passed away peacefully on 3 June 2026 after a courageous and characteristically determined battle with colon cancer. She was surrounded by her family, close friends and love,” the statement read.
The organisation announced that the 2026 MOBO Awards, which marks the event’s 30th anniversary, will be dedicated to King’s memory, with every performance and moment celebrating her extraordinary legacy.
King founded the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards in 1996 to recognise and celebrate Black British music at a time when it received limited mainstream attention. She reportedly remortgaged her home to launch the platform, which grew into one of the United Kingdom’s most influential music award ceremonies.
Describing her remarkable journey, the organisation said King was a single mother from a council estate in Kilburn who defied critics and built a global platform that transformed the music industry.
“What Kanya created was never simply an awards ceremony. It was an act of cultural justice,” the statement added.
Over the years, the MOBO Awards helped spotlight and honour artists including Stormzy, Craig David, Sade, Kano, Ms Dynamite, Olivia Dean and Amy Winehouse, playing a significant role in bringing Black music into the mainstream.
Despite her illness, King remained active in public life and was recognised for her contributions to music and culture. She was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and received an Ivors Academy Honour in 2025.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the entertainment industry.
Television presenter Judi Love wrote on Instagram: “Queen built a whole legacy for us. Rest well.”
Actor and musician Idris Elba also paid tribute, writing: “You inspired me. Your energy and dedication is unmatched. I will miss you, we will all miss you Kanya.”
Family members described King as a woman of courage, faith and resilience whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations. They have requested privacy as they mourn her loss.
King’s death marks the end of a pioneering era for one of Britain’s most influential cultural institutions, but her impact on music, representation and cultural recognition is expected to endure for years to come.