Sheffield council leader joins tributes to Mobo Awards founder Kanya King
She made a lasting contribution to Black British music and “the communities and cities that were proud to welcome the MOBO Awards”
The leader of Sheffield City Council joined stars including Idris Elba, Stormzy and Alesha Dixon to pay tribute to Mobo Awards founder Kanya King following her death aged 57.
The Mobo Awards are the UK’s biggest celebration of black music and culture, launched in 1996. They were staged at a sold-out show at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield in 2024.
Kanya King was a single mother from a Kilburn council estate when she established the awards ceremony in 1996.
She died peacefully on June 3 "surrounded by her family, close friends and love," following "a courageous and characteristically determined battle with colon cancer", the Mobo Organisation said.
Coun Fran Belbin, leader of Sheffield City Council, said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Kanya King CBE.
“Kanya made a lasting contribution not only to Black British music, but to the communities and cities that were proud to welcome the MOBO Awards.
“Sheffield was one of them, and we saw first-hand how her vision brought people together, celebrated talent and created real opportunities for so many artists and creatives.
"On behalf of Sheffield City Council, I send my sincere condolences to Kanya's family, friends and colleagues. Her legacy will continue to be felt for many years to come."
Tributes poured in from celebrities including award-winning actor Elba, Mis-Teeq singer Alesha Dixon, rapper Stormzy, singer and TV personality Tallia Storm and singer and actress Beverley Knight.
King was made a CBE in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2018 and received an Ivors Academy Honour in 2025.
As well as Sheffield, the Mobos were held in cities including Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds, Coventry and Glasgow.
A statement from King's family described her as "our mother, our sister, our heart" and said they are "devastated" by her death.
It added: "We are broken. We are grateful. We are so profoundly, endlessly proud to have been her family.
"Kanya King CBE. Gone too soon. Never, ever forgotten."