Your site will load in 16 seconds
Skip This >>

Tributes pour in for 'visionary' MOBO founder Kanya King

June 5th 2026 at 12:50PM
Kanya King CBE

Tributes have poured in for Kanya King CBE, who has died aged 57.

The pioneering entrepreneur, who founded the MOBO Awards in 1996, has been hailed as a “visionary” who “fundamentally reshaped the British music landscape” through her tireless championing of Black British music.

King died on Wednesday (June 3) “after a courageous and characteristically determined battle” with colon cancer, a statement shared by the MOBO Organisation read.

Kanya King at the 2026 MOBO Awards in Manchester (credit Joseph Okpako/Getty)

Among lengthy tributes from the MOBO Awards and others, which you can read in full here, many more who have worked with the 2021 Music Week Awards Strat winner over the years and who have cherished her friendship have taken to social media to share their condolences.

Campaigner winner at the Music Week Women in Music Awards 2023, Natalie Wade, posted a photo on Instagram of the pair together. 

She wrote: "We called ourselves the 'poster girls for cancer'. Glad you’re not hurting anymore." 

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Natsx (@forteforty)

Chi-chi Nwanoku CBE, founder, artistic and executive director of Chineke! Foundation, which supports Black and ethnically diverse classical musicians in the UK and Europe, hailed King as a “visionary” a “trailblazer” and a “generous force”.

Nwanoku, who is also executive producer of Chineke! Records, wrote on X: “Heartbroken to hear of the passing of my dear friend Kanya King. A visionary, trailblazer and generous force, she changed British music through the MOBO Awards, opening doors and making so many feel seen. Rest in power, dear Kanya. What you built will keep shining.” 

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described King as a "pioneer".

Darcus Beese, who became the first ever Black president of Island Records, shared a photo of him and King on Instagram. The winner of The Strat at the 2019 Music Week Awards wrote: "Sleep well KK. Thank you for EVERYTHING."

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Darcus Beese O.B.E. (@darcuscb)

Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of the BPI, paid tribute to King's "incredible passion" and said she leaves a "wonderful legacy"

 “It is with such a heavy heart that we learn of this great loss to the music and wider community, and we send our love and heartfelt condolences to Kanya’s family, friends and to all who worked with her," Twist wrote in a statement.

“Everyone who knew Kanya or who benefited from her incredible passion for music and the creative arts and from her fierce commitment to inclusivity and social justice will know just how much of an inspirational trailblazer she was. She will always be remembered for this and for the wonderful legacy she leaves to British music and beyond, not least through the MOBO Awards and brand she founded and developed so brilliantly into a landmark platform for so many artists, and which will act as a lasting tribute to her many accomplishments. Rest in Peace Kanya, you will be greatly missed.”

Kanya King with So Solid Crew at the 2013 MOBO Awards in Glasgow (credit: Martin Grimes/Getty)

BPI Chair and artist, YolanDa Brown, who won Music Champion at the Music Week Women In Music Awards 2022, said: “There is only one Kanya King, in the same way there is only one Bob Marley or one Whitney Houston. Kanya was truly one of one, a legend!

“What made her so remarkable was that she spent her career, through the vehicle of MOBO creating a platform so that there could be other Kanyas, other Tinie Tempahs, other Emeli Sandés and so many more artists whose names, stories and gifts may not otherwise have been given the space they deserved. 

“Wearing my musician hat, my first ever award was a MOBO Award in 2007 and it was the spark my career needed at that time. I know I am one of countless artists whose journey was encouraged, amplified and validated by Kanya’s vision. We celebrate everything Kanya stood for and fought for led by her belief in the power of culture to change lives for the better. I join others in sending my love and heartfelt condolences to Kanya’s family, friends, colleagues and all who worked with her, loved her and benefited from her extraordinary legacy.  Rest in peace Kanya, your impact will live on for generations.”

Kanya King at the 2025 MOBO Awards in Newcastle (credit: Euan Cherry/Getty)

Sony Music UK & Ireland chairman & CEO Jason Iley said: "Kanya was a true force of nature who championed and elevated Black British music, paving the way for countless artists and executives."

The recipient of The Strat at the Music Week Awards 2026 added: "A true trailblazer, she changed the British music industry for the better and her profound legacy will live on.” 

Artists paying tribute on social media included Craig David, Stormzy, Krept & Konan, Mutya Buena, Alesha Dixon, Estelle, Marvin Humes, Lisa Maffia, Ayra Starr, Myles Smith, Tiwa Savage, Mahalia and JinJin.

"Kanya, your legacy will live on forever through every single one of us you touched with your beautiful heart,” wrote Craig David.

BBC Radio 1Xtra's DJ Target is presenting a tribute to Kanya King on the station on Monday (June 8) at 7pm.

“We are GRATEFUL for the house of culture Kanya built,” said DJ Target. “Thankful for the opportunities you have given to so many including myself. Black music here in the UK would not be the same without MOBO, without Kanya King.”

Idris Elba, actor, DJ and producer, noted in a post on Instagram that King has been taken “too soon” and was an inspiration to him.

“You inspired me. Your dedication is unmatched. I will miss you @kanyakingcbe, we will all miss you. @moboawards,” he wrote. 

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Idris Elba (@idriselba)

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, celebrated King in a message on X as “a true pioneer”. 

He wrote: “Kanya King was a true pioneer. She changed the face of culture and music – opening doors and creating opportunities for so many others. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. My deepest condolences to her family, friends and loved ones.”

The team at EGA Distro said they were “deeply saddened” to hear of King’s passing, adding that her “impact on British music and culture cannot be overstated”.

“Kanya was a visionary whose impact on British music and culture cannot be overstated. Through the creation of the MOBO Awards, she built a platform that championed Black music, celebrated excellence, and opened doors for generations of artists, executives, and creatives across the UK and beyond,” the post on Instagram began.

“Her legacy will continue to inspire the industry she helped shape. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, colleagues, and everyone whose lives she touched. Rest in power, Kanya King.”

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by EGA Distro (@egadistro)

Pioneering UKG group So Solid Crew wrote: “If it wasn’t for the KANYA KING & her brand MOBO thousands of talented people from our culture would have never been awarded or televised.”


Florence Eshalomi, Labour (Co-op) MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, added on X: “Very sad to hear this news. Kanya was a powerful force helping to change the landscape for black music. Her positive impact and energy helped to showcase new artists. Her legacy will live on for many generations. Rest in power Kanya x.”

 
Elsewhere, PRS For Music paid tribute in a lengthy statement. “Beyond her monumental work on the global stage, Kanya was a cherished friend and inspiration to us closer to home. In March 2023, we were incredibly fortunate to welcome Kanya to the office, where she spoke passionately to our team about her career journey,” part of its post on X reads.

“She shared the fierce determination, resilience, and vision required to build the MOBOs from a single, self-funded event into an international cultural institution. Her warmth, wisdom, and unwavering belief in the power of music left an indelible mark on everyone in the room that day.”

UK Music chief executive Tom Kiehl also paid tribute: “On behalf of UK Music I offer condolences to Kanya King CBE’s friends, family and the lives of everyone she touched. Kanya was a visionary with huge ambition and determination. She leaves a permanent and positive mark on music and society.”

 

See more tributes below.

 

 

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by David Lim (@lovelimmy)



For more stories like this, and to keep up to date with all our market leading news, features and analysis, sign up to receive our daily Morning Briefing newsletter

subscribe link free-trial link

follow us...

Copyright © Future Plc 2026