Kanya is the creator and CEO of the culture-defining MOBO Awards. She is also a thought-leader and inspiration for all events organisers of different races and gender.
HOME IS….
definitely where my heart is!
FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE IN LONDON?
I grab a Costa Coffee. My favourite is a Venti Soya latte, 2 shots and extra hot.
MOST MEMORABLE MEAL YOU’VE HAD AND THE RESTAURANT?
I’d say Roast restaurant, the owner Iqbal surprised me by allowing me to host a table full of my friends for my birthday, it was great fun. I had the Vegan nut roast with pickled red cabbage and rosemary roasties, delicious!
IF YOU COULD BUY ANY EVENT VENUE OR EVENT BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I’d buy a dilapidated building and do it all up for a MOBO Academy that could be used to nurture and develop the next generation of entrepreneurial talent.
FAVOURITE HOTEL?
Four Seasons- there is a new one that has opened up near me and I tend to collapse on one of their cushy sofas at the end of the week.
WHERE DO YOU GO TO LET YOUR HAIR DOWN AND LET LOOSE?
All Bright or the Library members club. They are both very central, informal and you always meet interesting people. I held a dinner for my birthday at the Library club which turned into a party, so whatever happens at the Library Club stays at the Library Club….Lol.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING SOMEONE IN THE INDUSTRY HAS EVER SAID TO YOU?
Recently, I came across a lovely feature in Music Week’s rising star column where a young lady called Kelly said she’d seen me at a speaking event explaining the difficulties I’ve had to overcome in the music industry and the importance of “getting better, not bitter” she said my advice had really resonated with her, that really touched me.
ARE YOU A COLLECTOR OF ANYTHING?
I confess to being a hoarder -maybe this stems from not having a lot of things growing up.
LAST THEATRE SHOW YOU SAW?
The Way of the World at The Donmar
WHO IS YOUR HERO?
My late mother, who eventually put self –doubt aside and started her own business at the young age of 70. She was an important role model for me.
We would just like to thank Kanya for taking time out of her busy schedule to give us a better insight on what she gets up to- we look forward to catching up in the future and seeing where she takes the MOBO’s! We think the Academy is a great idea!
