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The founder of the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards, Kanya King, has died at the age of 57 after a battle with colon cancer.
King, who was described as a “visionary” who transformed British music and culture, died on Wednesday, according to a statement by the MOBO Organisation reported by the BBC on Friday.
She founded the MOBO Awards in 1996, funding the initiative from her own resources to celebrate Black music and its contribution to British culture. Over the years, she became a leading voice in promoting diversity in the music industry.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the entertainment world. Singer and TV presenter Alesha Dixon described her as an “incredible woman,” adding: “You helped so many people, your impact is immeasurable!”
British rapper Stormzy reacted with heart and dove emojis, while actor Idris Elba said she was gone “too soon,” adding: “You inspired me. Your dedication is unmatched. I will miss you @kanyakingcbe; we will all miss you.”
JLS member Oritsé Williams also paid tribute, calling her “a pioneer” who created “a powerful platform that championed cultures, communities and talent that were often unseen and underrepresented.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan described King as “a true pioneer” who “changed the face of culture and music,” while Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she “changed British music for the better through the MOBO Awards.”
In a statement, King’s family said they were “devastated” by her passing, adding that she faced her illness with “courage, faith, humour, and an absolute refusal to be diminished.”
They also said her legacy would live on through the MOBO platform, which gave Black British artists “the right to be seen, to be celebrated, and to be heard on their own terms.”
King is remembered as one of the most influential figures in modern British music, leaving behind a legacy of over three decades of cultural impact.
