Kanya King, the founder of the Mobo Awards, has died at the age of 57, the Mobo Organisation says. Multiple outlets report that she died peacefully on 3 June after a period of treatment for colon cancer. Sky News quotes the organisation describing her final illness as “a courageous and characteristically determined battle” with colon cancer.
Several reports highlight King’s role in promoting black music and culture in the UK. She is widely credited with helping bring such music into the mainstream through the Mobo Awards, which began about 30 years ago. BBC News adds detail that King mortgaged her house to launch the ceremony.
Tributes from public figures and media outlets describe her as influential, with an emphasis on her efforts to create recognition and visibility for artists and genres often underrepresented in mainstream music industry coverage.
