Mobo Award Founder Kanya King awarded CBE

Entrepreneur, CEO and founder of the MOBO Awards, Kanya King was presented with a CBE for her services to Music and Culture.

Founded in 1996, the MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) Awards remains one of the most televised urban music award shows across the world, reaching an surplus of 400 million viewers across 200 countries.

King’s job as a TV researcher gave her the courage and belief that there was room for music originating from Black culture, to be celebrated on mainstream British award ceremonies.

Over 22 years later the MOBO Awards are still pioneering and have provided early platforms for British artists such as Stormzy, Amy Winehouse, Skepta, Rita Ora and Emeli Sande. It has provided the launch pad for British urban music to dominate both national and international charts, becoming a prestigious event internationally. The MOBO’s annually attract an array of A-list guests such as Beyonce, Diana Ross, Jay-Z and Rihanna.

View this post on Instagram

After receiving my CBE at Buckingham Palace it has given me time to reflect. This Award being given is a validation of the many sacrifices that has been made over 2 decades – for the contribution that MOBO has made in order to create a level playing field. I also want to be pay tribute to all those unsung heroes, those from my parents generation who have contributed selflessly to their families, community, country and the economy who were often marginalised and overlooked. My Ghanaian and Irish parents came to this country when there were notices on windows saying – “ No blacks, no Irish, no dogs “. They could never have dreamed that their youngest daughter, who became a young single parent with little expected of her, would one day be picking up this Award. There are still barriers to be broken down. We need to increase representation of ethnic minorities so that talent won’t be wasted and the creative arts can flourish and develop for the enrichment of the human race and the economies on which it depends. Our passion to help the next generation of creatives has not wavered and I look forward to our announcement on Monday about our dedication to the next generation of talent. Bring it on! 🙌🏾 #celebratingexcellence #moboawards 📷 @pa

A post shared by Kanya King CBE (@kanyakingcbe) on Nov 30, 2018 at 5:19am PST

Kanya King has played a major role in bringing black music and culture to the mainstream. The Grime scene in particular has been brought forward because she was able to provide a platform for artists such as So Solid Crew in 2001, Kano in 2005 and Skepta who had his first MOBO win in 2014.

King was previously awarded an MBE for her services to the music industry in 1999 and has rightly been awarded CBE for her services to music and culture by the British Empire.

Congratulations!

Words by Emmanuella Ngimbi