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MOBO Awards Founder Kanya King Dies Aged 57
June6
Kanya King CBE, founder of the MOBO Awards, has died at the age of 57 following a battle with colon cancer.
The MOBO Organisation announced that King passed away on Wednesday after what it described as a "courageous and characteristically determined battle" with the disease
King founded the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards in the UK in 1996, initially funding the event herself. Established to celebrate achievements in Black music and culture, the annual awards recognise artists across genres including R&B, soul, reggae, hip-hop, grime, jazz, Afrobeats and broader African music. Over the past three decades, the MOBO Awards have become one of Britain`s most recognised music industry events and a key platform for emerging and established artists.
Tributes have been paid from across the music, entertainment and political sectors. Singer and television presenter Alesha Dixon described King as an "incredible woman" whose impact on the music industry was "immeasurable". Actor and musician Idris Elba said King had inspired him through her dedication and commitment to the industry.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan paid tribute to King as "a true pioneer" who changed the face of culture and music, while UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she had helped transform British music through the MOBO Awards.
In a statement, King`s family said they were "devastated" by her death and praised her courage throughout her illness. They highlighted her role in helping generations of Black British artists gain recognition and visibility through the awards platform she created.
Born and raised in Kilburn, north-west London, King overcame significant challenges during her early life before entering the music industry. After studying English Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London, she identified a gap in the market for an awards platform dedicated to recognising Black music and culture.
The MOBO Awards grew from a new industry initiative into one of the UK`s most established music events, helping to spotlight genres and artists that were often overlooked by mainstream industry awards. The event provided early support to emerging genres including UK garage and grime before they achieved widespread commercial success.
King was awarded an MBE in 1999 for services to music and later received a CBE in recognition of her contribution to the industry.
Her legacy is widely regarded as having played a significant role in increasing the visibility and recognition of Black artists within the UK music sector and beyond.
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