MOBO Awards

Europe’s biggest celebration of Black music and culture 🙌🏾 2026 MOBO Awards — watch, relive, discover @amazonmusicuk | @bbc

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

It is with immeasurable sorrow that the MOBO Organisation announces the passing of its Founder and CEO, Kanya King CBE.

Kanya passed away peacefully on 3 June 2026 after a courageous and characteristically determined battle with colon cancer. She was surrounded by her family, close friends and love.

Thirty years ago, Kanya King remortgaged her home, alone, without institutional backing or industry support, to build a stage that would transform British music forever.

She was a single mother from a Kilburn council estate who was told that Black music was too niche, that there was no market and that the industry was not interested. Instead of arguing, she built. Six weeks later, the first MOBO Awards was broadcast to the nation, and nothing was ever the same again.

What Kanya created was never simply an awards ceremony. It was an act of cultural justice. MOBO did not just celebrate Black music; it legitimised it, amplified it and transformed the cultural landscape of the UK.

From Stormzy, Little Simz and RAYE to Craig David, Ms. Dynamite, Amy Winehouse, Central Cee and countless others, generations of artists have benefited from Kanya King's vision.

She built a platform that reached hundreds of millions of people around the world. She was awarded a CBE and received an Ivors Academy Honour in 2025. She never stopped. She never asked for permission. She never accepted that the word “no” was final.

When she stood on the MOBO stage in Newcastle in February 2025, just months after her diagnosis, she told the audience: “I never allowed someone to define my limits. Not in life. Not in business. And I’m certainly not going to have that happen now.”

That was Kanya King. Right to the very end.

The 2026 MOBO Awards, held during the Organisation’s landmark 30th anniversary year, will be dedicated entirely to her memory.

The world was a profoundly better place with Kanya King in it. The MOBO family is heartbroken, but endlessly grateful, proud and inspired by everything she gave to music, culture and future generations.

Rest in power, Kanya.

You built this.

All of it.

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

As we get ready to celebrate 60 years of Notting Hill Carnival this year , we’re taking a moment to look back at some of the powerhouse Caribbean artists who have graced the #MOBOAwards stage over the years 🔥

And who could forget when the king of dancehall @Vybz_Official made a surprise appearance before collecting his Impact Award? 🏆

He had the whole room on their feet and going word for word with him - a truly unforgettable moment

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

.@SpotifyUK has announced its newest series Dubbed Hometown that will launch next month and we cannot wait to see #MOBOAward nominated artists @JorjaSmith and @nnemzzz1 take to the stage

This three part series will follow three artists back to their hometown where they will headline a show in the cities where they grew up 🔥

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

In a recent interview, @drdre revealed that he uses Ai while producing music. Instead of seeing it as something to be afraid of, he is using Ai as a tool to not only elevate music production but also as something to embrace

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

Ahead of his London shows, JAŸ-Z has announced a very special London pop up experience that will be happening this Thursday 🤩

Keep your eyes peeled to the @RocNation page for more updates on the event details

📹 rocnation / Instagram

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

Dave pulling up as a surprise guest during Tems’ All Points East set 🔥

Yeah, we’re here for this link-up 👏🏾

[Jorja Smith @JorjaSmith]

Jorja's new album 'What Are The Odds.' which is produced by P2J is out now!

Listen / Buy: https://t.co/R6rRiqJZ1q

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

It is always a movie when @MsLaurynHill blesses the stage and we were honoured to have her open up the 2005 #MOBOAwards with ‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’ 😍

This week marks 28 years since the release of her iconic album ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’, a body of work that has stood the test of time and remains one of the most notable albums in history

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

Congratulations to the #MOBOAward winning trio FLO who have had a spectacular year and have just made history with their sophomore album ‘Therapy At The Club’ charting in the Top 5 UK Album Charts 🔥

A truly outstanding achievement and we know so many more will come

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

A very special event marking the 20th anniversary of @SBTVonline has been announced and the line up is star studded 🔥

Honouring the late founder Jamal Edwards, many will take to The O2 stage to celebrate the artists and MC’s that have come from the platform founded by him.

Phase Two has been released and we are so excited to see many #MOBOAward winners and nominees on the line up for such a great cause

📸 sbtvonline / Instagram

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

Can @Latto officially claim her British title now 👀

Fresh off of releasing her newest album ‘Big Mama’, Latto tried some of the most iconic British snacks and here’s what she had to say about them…

📹 ladbible / Instagram

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

The @premierleague is back and who better to announce it than one of the most decorated #MOBOAwarded artists in history - @centralcee 🤩

He has partnered up with @CocaCola_GB for his newest single ‘The Team’ which has now become the soundtrack for this years Premier League

📹 premierleague / Instagram

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

The Eternal Sunshine Tour has landed in London and Cynthia Ervio made a surprise guest appearance last night, reuniting with her Wicked co-star Ariana Grande to perform one of their most memorable songs together - For Good 💚💓

📹 _danieloconnor / TikTok

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

It’s an amazing day in athletics as @dinaashersmith gains a historical record as the first athlete to win 8 European Championship Gold medals 🥇

Last night the GB Women’s team ran a phenomenal 4 x 100 m relay race securing the historical title for Dina, swipe to watch the full race ➡️

📹 bbcsport / TikTok
📸 dinaashersmith / Instagram

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

It feels like it was yesterday when @ayrastarr won her very first #MOBOAward for Best African Music Act 🏆

Today Starrgirl, her third studio album was released and we are obsessed

[Music Week @MusicWeek]

MOBO Selecta: @CraigDavid opens up about his bond with @KanyaKing: https://t.co/TwoyGRFGDR

[FLO @flolikethis]

We hope you’re loving ‘Therapy At The Club’ 💙
If you haven’t already - visit our official store to purchase your copy of our new album + solo CDs, merch and more.

https://t.co/0vV0CwmKtR

#TherapyAtTheClubOUTNOW 🪩

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

Yesterday was a movie when @davido touched the stage and lit up the O2 Kentish Town for an amazing intimate performance for his fans 🔥

📹 riiano7 / TikTok
📹 duygu_ololade / TikTok

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

.@50cent is showing no signs of slowing down as it has just been announced that he will be the executive producer of the live action TV adaption of the ‘Payday’ game 🎮

[MOBO Awards @MOBOAwards]

.@Drake has a message for his haters 👀

📹 nfr_podcast / X

[Cleo @cleosol]

My 5th album
Grateful 🙌🏽