Kanya King, who founded Mobo Awards to champion black music, dies at 57
Summary
Kanya King, the founder of the Mobo Awards that celebrate black music and culture in the UK, died at age 57 after battling colon cancer. She started the awards in 1996 to highlight black musicians and their contributions, overcoming many challenges along the way.Key Facts
- Kanya King founded the Music of Black Origin (Mobo) Awards in 1996 to support black musicians in the UK.
- The Mobo Awards marked their 30th anniversary in 2024.
- King funded the first Mobo event herself despite doubts from her family.
- She passed away after a determined fight with colon cancer, surrounded by family and friends.
- Growing up with an Irish mother and Ghanaian father, she experienced and witnessed racial discrimination.
- King was a teenage mother who dropped out of school but later studied English literature at Goldsmiths College.
- She received an MBE in 1999 for her services to music.
- The Mobo Awards have recognized diverse music styles, including UK garage, R&B, grime, and Afrobeat.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.