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HONOURED FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE INDUSTRY FOR OVER THREE DECADES
Watch - Kanya In Conversation with Dawn Butler MP about her illness
Download Kanya King press images HERE (Photo credit in filenames)
The MOBO Group Founder and CEO Kanya King CBE has been awarded the 2024 LIVEtime Achievement honour at the live music industry’s prestigious LIVE Awards, acknowledging her immense contribution to the industry for over three decades.
She accepted her award (Wednesday December 11th) at East London’s Troxy during the annual celebration of the UK live music sector. The top honour and culmination of the evening, it is presented to an individual who has played a principal role in driving forward and improving the UK's live music business, having dedicated much of their career to the sector.
Under Kanya’s leadership, the MOBO Organisation has grown into a globally recognised platform for celebrating music of Black origin and championing diversity in the creative industries. Her vision continues to guide the organisation as it prepares for the 2025 MOBO Awards and the milestone of its 30th anniversary in 2026.
Kanya announced for the first time that she is being treated for bowel cancer. As she focuses on her health, the MOBO team is dedicated to ensuring the continued success of the organisation. With her guidance and unwavering support, the organisation remains in capable hands, delivering its mission with the same energy and passion that has defined MOBO for nearly three decades.
Kanya King:
“Learning I have stage 4 bowel cancer was something I never saw coming and I am still processing this unexpected reality. While this journey will undoubtedly be challenging, I’ve always believed in finding meaning through adversity. This diagnosis isn’t the end of my story—it’s a chance to inspire resilience, raise awareness, use this moment to not only fight my own battle but to amplify the message of early detection and the importance of proactively taking charge of your health. If my story can save just one life, then it’s a story worth telling.”
Kanya King CBE, is an internationally renowned entrepreneur through her role as CEO, founder, and visionary of the MOBO Organisation and the MOBO Group.
She built her legacy in the music and entertainment industry from humble beginnings. In 1996, King used her rare drive and ambition to provide a foundation for Black and diverse talent to thrive and excel. While studying English Literature at London’s Goldsmiths College and later, while working as a TV researcher, King saw a gap in the market for a mainstream British awards ceremony celebrating music influenced and inspired by Black music
Through sheer determination, King built MOBO into a globally respected brand, transformed the landscape for Black artists with the global force that is the MOBO Awards, and helped take Black music from the margins of British popular culture to the heart of the mainstream in the UK and around the world. It championed homegrown talent, celebrating artistic excellence in genres such as Rap, Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, Grime, Drill, Gospel, Jazz, Reggae, African music, Electronic/Dance, Alternative music and beyond. Her work has transformed the wider creative industries and helped shape the future of music and entertainment, while helping force diversity to the top of the national agenda.
Since its inaugural ceremony in 1996 at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms, MOBO Awards has become a calendar staple in the UK and its iconic trophy is now one of the highest accolades in music. The Awards have honoured music stars such as Central Cee, Stormzy, Janet Jackson, Little Simz, Davido, Rihanna, RAYE, Wizkid and Beyoncé while also helping to elevate the careers of rising stars in the industry. For close to 30 years, it has been an important platform for numerous British artists including Amy Winehouse, Goldie, Skepta, Rita Ora, Craig David, Ms Dynamite, Dizzee Rascal, Emile Sandé, Tinie Tempah and many more.
Recognising its unique position in popular culture, MOBO has also expanded beyond music to celebrate talent in the arts and media. It presented an Inspirational Award to Hollywood star Idris Elba and acclaimed British filmmaker Sir Steve McQueen and Best Performance In A TV Show/ Film to Kane Robinson (Kano) for his role in ‘Top Boy’ at 2022’s ceremony.
In addition to their annual awards, MOBO is deeply committed to promoting social change and inclusion, supporting the development of young talent, and advocating for diversity across the entertainment industry and beyond. Through mentorship programmes, partnerships with educational and charitable organisations, and career development opportunities with leading organisations, MOBO has been a driving force for positive change.
The awards travel the UK, taking the culture far and wide, and for 2025 the MOBO Awards will take place in Newcastle for the first time. The ceremony will launch the 2025 awards season, broadcasting live from the Utilita Arena Newcastle on 18 February 2025. Performers and hosts will be revealed soon. Tickets are available via mobo.com/tickets
This year, a plethora of amazing artists are nominated for honours. The likes of Jorja Smith, Sampha, Bashy, Ghetts, Cleo Sol, Central Cee and Odeal shine with three nominations each.
Appointed a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in 1999, King was elevated to a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2018 birthday honours list and was later awarded an Honorary Fellowship of Goldsmiths, University of London, an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration at London Metropolitan University and an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Leeds Metropolitan University.
She has won numerous music industry awards and is regularly named as one of London's Most Influential People and as one of Britain's Most Influential Black People. She has been recognised as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the United Kingdom by Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4, and also featured on the BBC's 100 Women. She has also been named as one of the 100 Most Influential British Entrepreneurs.
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About MOBO
Since 1996, the MOBO Organisation has discovered and supported talent in music, film and TV. MOBO operates 365 days a year to create events, content, partnerships and opportunities for young people in the entertainment industries and beyond. For close to 30 years, the MOBO Awards has remained a significant cultural event in the British music industry, celebrating excellence in Black music and culture. Its enduring legacy as the premiere outlet for recognising and honouring the artistic achievement of exceptional British and international talent in Hip-Hop, Grime, R&B and Soul, Reggae, Jazz, Electronic/Dance, Alternative, Gospel and African music has been unparalleled. Global superstars who have been part of the Awards include Janet Jackson, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Sade, Lionel Richie, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Usher, Rihanna, Cardi B, Davido and H.E.R., just to name a few. The Awards has proudly been hosted all over the United Kingdom over the years including shows in London, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Coventry and Sheffield. Beyond the Awards, MOBO supports undiscovered talent in music via MOBO UnSung, and across the wider creative and tech industries MOBO supports and connects career opportunities for Black talent via MOBOLISE, a platform to empower diversity, excellence and transformation in the workplace.
About LIVE
LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment) is the voice of the UK’s live music and entertainment business. LIVE members are a federation of 16 live music industry associations representing 3,159 businesses, over 34,000 British artists and 2,000 backstage workers. LIVE works to ensure that the interests of live music in the UK are understood and communicated to Government, policymakers, regulators, the public and the wider music and entertainment industries. LIVE was initially formed in response to the unprecedented pressure and devastation faced by the industry due to COVID-19 and is structured around four pillars: lobbying, economic analysis, messaging, and skills & diversity. Its work is driven by a series of sub committees on topics including festivals & outdoor events, venues, touring, people and sustainability.
