I had the pleasure of meeting Kanya King in 2017. This week, sadly, she lost her battle with bowel cancer and died on 3 June, aged 57, surrounded by her family and the people who loved her.
She was, simply, an inspiration. A single mother from a Kilburn council estate who remortgaged her home to build the MOBO Awards in 1996, and in doing so, changed the landscape of British music for everyone who came after her. But what’s stayed with me isn’t only what she built. It’s how she chose to live, right to the end.
So it feels fitting to celebrate her through her own words. About a year ago, she shared something on LinkedIn she called The Life Manifesto – written five months into a six-month prognosis, still standing, still living. I hope it lands with you the way it landed with me.
In her own words
The Life Manifesto
by Kanya King · shared on LinkedIn
“Tomorrow, I will celebrate another year of life – a milestone I was told I might not reach. Five months into a six-month prognosis, I am still here. Still standing. Still LIVING. And I intend to keep doing just that — with purpose, joy, and love. Instead of a ‘bucket list,’ I’ve created The Life Manifesto — a declaration of how I choose to live. I hope it inspires you in some small way.”
- Measure Time by Moments, Not Minutes. What truly matters is not how much time we have but how we fill it. Live fully, love deeply, and create memories that outlive the clock.
- Become the Boss of Your Own Health. No one will advocate for you as you can. Ask the questions. Do the research. Take control.
- Advocate for Others When They Are Not in the Room. Your voice is your power. Use it to uplift, defend, and create change for those who need it.
- Live as If You’re Writing the Greatest Story Ever Told because every day is a chapter in your legacy. Make it a page-turner.
- Have Purposeful Fun. Laugh loudly, dance freely, and never let life become so serious that you forget to play.
- Spend Time with People Who Make You Feel Good. Energy is everything. Protect yours fiercely and surround yourself with those who lift you higher.
- Turn Fear into Fuel. Let challenges be the reason you live even more boldly, not an excuse to shrink.
- Do One Kind Thing Every Day. A small act of kindness can change someone’s world — including your own.
- Find Your ‘Why’ and Live by It. When you know what drives you, every day becomes an opportunity to move with purpose.
- Celebrate the Small Wins – They Build a Beautiful Life. Joy isn’t just in the big milestones; it’s in the moments we often overlook. Recognise them, honour them, and be grateful for them.
- Your Time is Priceless – Spend It Wisely. Focus on what truly matters. Don’t waste it on people or things that drain you.
- If Not Now, When? Stop waiting for the “perfect moment.” This is it.
And finally, something fun… buy a sand timer. 😍A simple yet profound reminder that time is precious. Use it to stay focused, pause and breathe, and be present — whether for work, meditation, self-care, or deep conversations. Let it remind you to make the most of every second.
“Life is happening NOW. No rehearsals. No rewinds. Just this moment and the choice to live it fully.”
She signed off looking forward to the MOBO Awards — another milestone she intended to reach. A night of excellence, culture, and legacy. A reminder, in her words, that music, community, and purpose are what bring us together.
“Here’s to living with intention. Here’s to choosing joy. Here’s to another year of life — grateful, purposeful, and unstoppable. 💫”
Kanya King’s Life Manifesto is reproduced here as she shared it publicly, in her memory and in gratitude. Rest in power, Kanya — you built all of it. — Ed