“What she has done for black music and culture in the UK is immeasurable”: Rock world pays tribute to MOBOs founder Kanya King

Nova Twins and Skin are among the names paying tribute to MOBOs founder Kanya King CBE, who has died at the age of 57.

The MOBO Organisation confirmed that the entrepreneur had “passed away peacefully” on Wednesday (June 3) “after a courageous and characteristically determined battle with colon cancer”, adding that “the music world has lost one of its most fearless champions.”

She founded the MOBOs, which recognises the cultural contributions of artists making music of Black origin, in 1996. A single mother from a council estate in Kilburn, north-west London, she remortgaged her home to fund the awards which were broadcast to the nation just six weeks later.

“What Kanya created was never simply an awards ceremony. It was an act of cultural justice. 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,” the MOBOs organisation said.

Nova Twins worked with Kanya to create the Best Alternative Music Category in 2022, two years after writing an open letter to the MOBOs suggesting that rock music should be recognised among the awards.

“We are thinking of Kanya and her family today,” they write in their tribute on Instagram. What she has done for black music and culture in the UK is immeasurable. Kanya teamed a vision with resilience and otherworldly drive to build an empire of black excellence that has given many hope, joy, a voice to the voiceless and a place to call home within our community. We feel so honoured to have been able to witness the power of Kanya King right before our eyes.

“When we first went for a coffee to talk about the alternative category, we were in awe of her and the stories she was gracious enough to share about what it took to make the MOBOs a reality. She will always be a huge inspiration to us and generations to come. May her name live on through us all. We know she’ll be weaving her magic from this world into the next. Sending all our love.”

The band’s Amy Love reflected in their Kerrang! Cover Story earlier this year that, “Rock generally gets sidelined from these mainstream platforms. So we were really grateful to Kanya King at the MOBOs for pushing this forward, because without her listening to us and having that conversation [about launching the first-ever Best Alternative Music Act category in 2022], it wouldn’t have happened.

“It’s amazing see all the bands that have been nominated and who are getting that recognition that they deserve. It’s also great for people to have the opportunity to see a band like us play. A young kid might be at home watching the MOBOs, see us, and think, ‘What the hell was that?! I could do that, too!’”

Skunk Anansie’s Skin has also paid tribute, writing: “So incredibly sad to read the news that one of our great British icons has lost her battle with cancer. Over the years we met many times and Kanya always a delight to be with, inspirational, hilarious and towards the end very courageous. I loved her for who she was and for what she has achieved, she meant so much to so many. Founder of @moboawards she strove to put black music on the map igniting a fire beneath the British music industry that can never be dimmed. Sending my condolences and best wishes to her family and close friends, Kanya will be sorely missed by all of us.”

Kid Bookie adds on his Instagram story: “RIP Kanya. Thank you for the platform to shine and inspire. Forever indebted."

Kerrang! sends our condolences to Kanya’s family and friends at this devastating time.

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