Kanya King

Whilst working as a TV researcher, Kanya came up with the idea of an awards ceremony with mass-market appeal, which would celebrate black music and music influenced & inspired by black music. Kanya’s overwhelming desire to succeed eventually led her to re-mortgage her home to raise the necessary finances to launch the first MOBO Awards.

Now in its 11th year, the MOBO Awards has firmly established itself as one of the most prestigious events in the entertainment calendar and so much has played an instrumental role in elevating black music and culture to mainstream popular status in the UK.