MOBOs founder Kanya King has died aged 57 following a battle with colon cancer.
The businesswoman announced she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had just months to live earlier this year.
In a statement, the MOBOs organisation said: ‘It is with immeasurable sorrow that the MOBO Organisation announces the passing of its Founder and CEO, Kanya King CBE.
‘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 music world has lost one of its most fearless champions.’
The statement added: ‘The 2026 MOBO Awards, held during the Organisation’s landmark 30th anniversary year, will be dedicated entirely to her memory. Every artist, every moment and every note will carry her legacy.
‘The world was a profoundly better place with Kanya King in it. The MOBO family is heartbroken, but also endlessly grateful, proud and inspired by everything she gave to music, culture and the generations who will follow in her footsteps.’
MOBOs founder Kanya King has died aged 57 following a battle with colon cancer (pictured in February)
The organisation continued: ‘She was 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.
‘What Kanya created was never simply an awards ceremony. It was an act of cultural justice. MOBO did not just celebrate Black music; it legitimised it, amplified it, and demonstrated its commercial and creative power to a world that had too often chosen not to see it.
‘She built a platform that has reached hundreds of millions of people around the world. She was awarded a CBE and received an Ivors Academy Honour in 2025, accepting it, characteristically, in the middle of what she described as ‘a difficult week health-wise’, yet still managing to inspire every person in the room.
‘She never stopped. She never asked for permission. She never accepted that the word ‘no’ was final.
‘When she stood on the MOBO stage in Newcastle in February 2025, just months after her diagnosis, she told the audience: ‘I never allowed someone to define my limits. Not in life. Not in business. And I’m certainly not going to have that happen now.’
‘That was Kanya King. Right to the very end.’
The post on Instagram received an outpouring of love from Kanya’s friends and colleagues with singer Craig David commenting: ‘Kanya, your legacy will live on forever through ever single one of us you touched with your beautiful heart. We love you.’
In a statement, the MOBOs organisation said: ‘It is with immeasurable sorrow that the MOBO Organisation announces the passing of its Founder and CEO, Kanya King CBE
‘What Kanya created was never simply an awards ceremony. It was an act of cultural justice. MOBO did not just celebrate Black music; it legitimised it’
Singer and BGT star Alesha Dixon wrote: ‘Devastated to hear this news! Gone too soon! Forever grateful and in awe of you and your fight! One of the strongeest people I’ve ever known! You are a true example to us all! Will love you forever! Thank you for everything! Rest well my friend.’
The Instagram account for band UB40 added: ‘Incredibly sad news. Rest in Peace Kanya – The foundations laid and legacy you have left is beyond remarkable! Big love.’
TV star Judi Love wrote: ‘Queen built a whole legacy for us. Rest well.’
