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MOBOS founder Kanya King admitted she didn’t know if she would make tonight’s ceremony after her cancer diagnosis.
The 56-year-old, who founded the event which celebrates and elevates black music in the UK, discovered she has stage four bowel cancer last year and was told she may have just six month to live.
MOBO Awards / YouTube
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PAKanya has continued to guide the organisation ahead of tonight’s ceremony and the milestone of its 30th anniversary in 2026.
Speaking on-stage, she told attendees: “Your support and friendship mean more than I can ever express.
“Tonight, as I stand here at the Utilita Arena looking out at this incredible audience, I feel profound gratitude.
“Because there was a time I didn’t think I’d make it to this stage.
“But I have never allowed someone else to define my limits. Not in life. Not in business. And certainly not now.
“For three decades, I have put everything on the line to build this platform.
“Let me be real with you, if I had ignored the signs I wouldn’t be here now.
“In my cancer journey, I want to educate others. Search ‘check my risk’ or visit the Prostate UK website.
“For yourself, for your brothers, for your father’s and sons
“And for the ladies we’re releasing initiatives to address health inequalities. Because this fight is for all of us.
“This isn’t the end of my story, it’s a new chapter.”
Earlier on, the music industry pioneer joined stars on the red carpet – wearing a gold dress, reminiscent of Belle from Beauty and the Beast.
In December of last year, Kanya made the devastating announcement as she accepted a lifetime achievement prize at the Live Awards at London‘s Troxy.
She said at the time: “This was something I never saw coming and I am still processing.
“This diagnosis isn’t the end of my story. It’s a chance to amplify the message of early detection. If my story can save just one life, then it’s a story worth telling.”
MOBO Awards 2025 - full list of winners
Best male act: Central Cee
Best female act: Darkoo
Best newcomer: Odeal
Album of the year: Bashy – Being Poor Is Expensive
Song of the year: Darkoo – Favourite Girl (ft Dess Dior)
Video of the year: Mnelia – My Man (directed by Femi Bello)
Best hip-hop act: Bashy
Best grime act: Scorcher
Best drill act: Pozer
Best R&B/soul act: Odeal
Best media personality: 90s Baby Show
Best African music act: Ayra Starr
Best performance in a TV show/film: Jacob Anderson as Louis in Interview With the Vampire
Best electronic/dance music act: Tsha
Best gospel act: Annatoria
Best jazz act: Ezra Collective
Best producer: Juls
Best Caribbean music act: Shenseea
Best alternative music act: Alt Blk Era
Best international act: Ayra Starr
MOBO Paving the Way award: Denise Lewis
MOBO Impact award: Vybz Kartel
The diagnosis had been a shock to King as she had been leading a healthy lifestyle which included not drinking alcohol, not smoking and exercising regularly.
The music industry pioneer is receiving treatment but said the diagnosis has been a “huge change” to her life as medical scans, treatments, appointments and administration have now become her “new normal”.
Speaking this week on Good Morning Britain, she said: “I realise that life is really, really precious, so I have to be very intentional about what I do every day.
“I mean, we all know that life on this planet is short, but I know it might be shorter for me, even though I’ve been told I have six months to live, that’s not what I’m choosing to tell myself.
“I have the right positive mindset and I’m sure I’ll be here till a ripe old age.”
Kanya, who grew up in a council flat in Kilburn, north-west London and became a mother at 16, began the Mobo Awards while working as a TV researcher.
The inaugural event took place in 1996 at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms and has since honoured trailblazing artists including Dave, Ghetts, Headie One, Central Cee, Aitch, and 2022 Mercury Prize winner Little Simz.
The Mobo Awards have partnered with Prostate Cancer UK this year to to raise awareness as black men are at higher risk of developing it so early detection is important.
What are the red flag warning signs of bowel cancer?
IT'S the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest - yet bowel cancer can be cured, if you catch it early enough.
While screening is one way of ensuring early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and checking with your GP can prove a life-saver.
If you notice any of the signs, don’t be embarrassed and don’t ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of patients with bowel problems.
The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:
- Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
- A change in your normal toilet habits – going more frequently for example
- Pain or a lump in your tummy
- Extreme tiredness
- Losing weight
Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness.
In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction.
Other signs include:
- Gripping pains in the abdomen
- Feeling bloated
- Constipation and being unable to pass wind
- Being sick
- Feeling like you need to strain – like doing a number two – but after you’ve been to the loo
While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools.
But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease.
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