Kanya King, the British entrepreneur who created the MOBO Awards, has passed away at the age of 57 after a battle with colon cancer.
She died on June 3, 2026, following her long fight with the illness.
The news was confirmed on Friday in an official statement released by the MOBO Organisation and shared on its Instagram page.
In the statement, the organisation expressed deep sadness over her death, describing her as the founder and driving force behind the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards.
“It is with immeasurable sorrow that MOBO Organisation announces the passing of its Founder and CEO, Kanya King CBE, on 3 June 2026 after a courageous battle with colon cancer,” the statement read.
The MOBO Awards, which celebrate Music of Black Origin, were established in 1996 by Kanya King and have since become one of the most respected music award platforms in the UK.
Kanya King was born on February 12, 1969, in Kilburn, North London. She was born to an Irish mother and a Ghanaian father, and she went on to build a global cultural legacy through the MOBO brand.