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Liberty Dunworth
Tributes have been paid following the death of MOBOs founder Kanya King, with the MOBO Organisation describing how “every artist, every moment and every note will carry her legacy”.
King founded the MOBOs 30 years ago, creating a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the music of Black British artists from across genres including hip-hop, grime, UK drill, pop, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel and more.
Today (Friday June 5), it has been confirmed that she passed away after a battle with colon cancer, and died surrounded by her family and close friends.
“It is with immeasurable sorrow that the MOBO Organisation announces the passing of its Founder and CEO, Kanya King CBE,” read a statement from the MOBO Organisation.
“The music world has lost one of its most fearless champions,” it added, going on to explain how she built the organisation as a “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,” it continued, adding that it was a stage that “would transform British music forever”.
The statement touched on how countless artists have stood on that stage in the years since, including Olivia Dean, Stormzy, Little Simz, RAYE, Craig David, Sade and more, and how “every door that opened, every opportunity that followed, and every ceiling that was shattered” for them “carries the imprint of Kanya King’s vision.
“What Kanya created was never simply an awards ceremony. It was an act of cultural justice,” the statement read. “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.”
King was awarded a CBE and received an Ivors Academy Honour in 2025, and stood on the MOBO Stage in 2025 – just months after her cancer diagnosis – saying that “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”.
This year’s MOBOs were held in March, and marked the landmark 30th anniversary year.
“Every artist, every moment and every note will carry her legacy,” the statement concluded. “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.”
Since the news was announced, others have taken to social media to share their sadness at the loss. Broadcaster Kevin Hughes wrote on X: “I am so very sorry to hear this news. Trailblazing, tenacious and truly talented. And a joy to interview throughout the years. My heartfelt condolences to Kanya’s family, friends and to the @MOBOAwards team at this sad time. RIP.”
I am so very sorry to hear this news. Trailblazing, tenacious and truly talented. And a joy to interview throughout the years. Remembering Kanya King CBEMy heartfelt condolences to Kanya’s family, friends and to the @MOBOAwards team at this sad time. RIP. https://t.co/AiIecHX7o7
— Kevin Hughes (@Popprince) June 5, 2026
Other tributes have come from Loose Women presenter Judi Love, who described the British entrepreneur as a “Queen” who “built a whole legacy for us”, and JLS singer Oritse Williams, who said that her “legacy and impact on the world changed so many lives including mine, I will always be forever grateful to you”.
Alesha Dixon add that she was ‘devastated’ to hear the news on Instagram Stories, and shared: “Gone too soon! Forever grateful and in awe of you and your fight! One of the strongest people I’ve ever known! You are a true example to us all! Will love you forever!
Alesha Dixon Instagram post. CREDIT: @AleshaOfficial/Instagram Stories
“This is so sad. Kanya’s legacy will forever be embedded into Black British history. May she rest in peace,” wrote another fan of hers, while BBC correspondent Greg McKenzie said that he was “Deeply saddened to hear” of her death.
“She was a visionary who transformed British music and culture, creating opportunities and recognition for countless artists who may otherwise have gone unheard,” he added. “Her passion, determination and belief in the power of representation changed the industry forever. The impact of her work will continue to be felt for generations to come.”
Find more tributes below.
This is so sad. Kanya's legacy will forever be embedded into Black British history. May she rest in peacehttps://t.co/HeXtjIeLMd
— Sims(@leizenomis) June 5, 2026
RIP kanya king. What a legacy to leave behind.
— THE PASTEL PRINCE MAY30th(@howdouknowliam) June 5, 2026
Performances at this year’s MOBOs ceremony came from Olivia Dean, FLO, Aitch, Myles Smith and Tiwa Savage. There was also a ‘MOBO Salutes: Grime 25’ medley featuring Wiley, Chip, Nolay, Scorcher and D Double E (curated by DJ Target).
The night was presented by global hip-hop icon Eve and comedian and broadcaster Eddie Kadi, and it was Olivia Dean who was the big winner of the night.
Back in 2022, ahead of the 25th anniversary edition of the MOBO Awards, King spoke to NME about recognising Black alternative and dance music for the first time and the ongoing goal to make every year of the awards “one of the biggest years we’ve had”.
“It’s changed beyond recognition,” King said, looking back at the inaugural 1996 edition of the ceremony. “It’s so globally dominant now. You have to take a step back sometimes – if you think where we are.
“Whether it’s Little Simz, Headie One, Stefflon Lon, Central Cee or any of these incredible artists, it’s wonderful to see the impact they’re having. It’s wonderful to see the legacy of the past 25 years, a lot has happened.”
The post Tributes paid about passing of MOBOs founder Kanya King: “Every artist, every moment and every note will carry her legacy” appeared first on NME.
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Sometimes I just get tired and don’t feel any drive and motivation to work. This can be coupled with the fact that my work is actually demanding, and there are some unpleasant times that come with it.
But I always motivate myself by reminding myself that I have bills to pay, and no one is coming to save me. This is enough to make me sit up.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re down?
But I always motivate myself by reminding myself that I have bills to pay, and no one is coming to save me. This is enough to make me sit up.
How do you motivate yourself when you’re down?
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like seriously, its everywhere!! classic rock, indie, metal, even pop... like, i get it, the moon is cool and mysterious and all, but theres only so many ways you can sing about it before it starts to feel overdone, ya know? its not even that im sick of it, its just kinda funny how obsessed everyone is also, have yall ever thought about how most moon songs are either super romantic or super melancholy?? like where are the upbeat moon jams?? we need more of those. also random astronomy fact (cause im like that sometimes): did you know the moon is slowly drifting away from earth at like 3.8 cm per year??? which means in a few billion years well have way fewer moon songs cause itll be too far to inspire anyone. unless we get songs about drifting away instead i guess. side note: has anyone listened to that band lunar seas? theyve got this one track called orbit blues that kinda riffs on this idea but in a weird synth-punk way. idk if theyre any good but its on my spotify... maybe ill dig it out later if anyone’s curious anyway, im rambling... what do yall think? is the moon overplayed or is it just me being extra today??
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we've all screamed at 2am stepping on something awful whats the absolute worst tho? honestly share your trauma stories after voting.
What's the worst thing to step on barefoot?
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its like every site wants to look edgy or something but honestly its just harder to read sometimes i get that its supposed to save battery on oled screens and all that but if im squinting to see text at 2pm then whats the point. also why is there always some tiny setting buried in a menu to switch it back instead of just asking when you first visit. half the time it feels like theyre trying to force a 'mood' instead of just letting people read their content.
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lowkey its one of those days where you dont gotta do anything but you could do something whats your go-to chill activity
Best way to spend a lazy Sunday?
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why do drum fills in indie tracks feel like they're trying to say something??? like they cut through the track and youre like "okay im listening now!" but then it's over and the song just... keeps going?? it's so weird but also kinda cool?? like they’re little exclamation points for the music lol. wait... am i the only one who thinks this??? honestly also quick tangent but have yall heard that band called lunar choir??? their drummer does these super dramatic fills thats basically half the song and its wild but i cant stop listening. kinda wish i could pull that off in my own mixes but i always end up overdoing it and it sounds messy... sigh anyway what do yall think??
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i swear i just bought this new case supposedly with "ultra quiet cooling" and the fans sound like a damn airplane taking off but my cpu temps are still creeping up halfway through a game. like what is the point of all this airflow design if it doesnt actually cool anything?? is it just for show or something? i get that you need good cooling for high end builds but it feels like theyre prioritizing looks over function at this point my last build from like 5 years ago was quieter and kept temps lower with way less fuss sometimes i think about switching to passive cooling just to avoid the noise but then i remember how bad that was back in the day too. idk man it just feels like we shouldve figured this out by now. ...
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ok so like obvs we need energy to keep the vibe going but like... what do you eat before a set? i feel like carbs are a must bc gotta keep that stamina up 
but then you dont wanna crash mid-mix fruit? protein bar? coffee’s great but then you’re wired and twitchy lol. my go-to is a banana and some trail mix but idk if that’s actually smart or just what i do out of habit. saw a post somewhere about people drinking bone broth before gigs which sounds kinda wild but maybe it works??? honestly curious what everyone else swears by before they hit the decks 
but then you dont wanna crash mid-mix fruit? protein bar? coffee’s great but then you’re wired and twitchy lol. my go-to is a banana and some trail mix but idk if that’s actually smart or just what i do out of habit. saw a post somewhere about people drinking bone broth before gigs which sounds kinda wild but maybe it works??? honestly curious what everyone else swears by before they hit the decks
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like seriously who is this for. if you work a 9-5 and need to get stuff done before that fine but most of their audience is freelancers or remote workers unless youre a farmer or something 5 am is just arbitrary. i get the 'quiet hours' argument but most people can find that at night too. and dont even get me started on the science they cite — half of it is taken out of context or based on studies with tiny sample sizes. id rather sleep til 7 and work smarter not earlier. [link to some study about sleep cycles debunking early rising myths]
anyone else think this whole 'optimize your morning' thing is overhyped or is it just me
anyone else think this whole 'optimize your morning' thing is overhyped or is it just me
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ngl idk if its the reverb or the lyrics but it hits different. like that one track by *silver wave revival* (anyone else listen to them?? theyre so underrated) where the chorus just screams “we’re sinking slow” over and over... i cant help but think of tidal waves and rogue planets crashing into earth... maybe its just me being dramatic but i love how rock can tap into that weird mix of anger and melancholy and scale?? like the music is somehow both personal and cosmic at the same time. (side note: did yall know a lot of early alt bands were inspired by the voyager golden record?? theres this whole backstory about how they wanted their music to feel like messages to the universe lol)
anyway whats a song that makes you feel like youre part of something bigger than yourself??
anyway whats a song that makes you feel like youre part of something bigger than yourself??
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