Culture And Memory

MOBO 30 Legacy: Honour the past; inspire the future.

Founded in 1996 by Kanya King, MOBO (Music of Black Origin) has played a pivotal role in recognising, championing and shaping UK Black music and culture. As MOBO approaches its 30th anniversary in 2026, this project will celebrate its past, present and future by uncovering and preserving its rich and often hidden heritage. We will capture and archive stories from artists, industry pioneers, communities and young people influenced by MOBO. Central to the project is meaningful youth engagement: training young people. The legacy will be a high-quality documentary film and a publicly accessible ‘memory bank’, elevating and preserving Black British cultural heritage for future generations. PROJECT AIMS: • Celebrate and preserve the hidden history and legacy of MOBO • Connect people with the evolution of UK Black music and MOBO’s impact • Train and empower young people as heritage documentarians • Make Black British cultural heritage more visible and valued