2025 Polar Music Prize Recipients Announced
The Polar Music Prize, a celebrated honor recognizing significant achievements in music, will be awarded in 2025 to three distinguished figures: British rock band Queen, renowned American jazz musician Herbie Hancock, and esteemed Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan. The official ceremony is scheduled for May 27 at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm, with live coverage set to air on Sweden’s TV4 at 8 p.m. CET.
Queen: Rock Legends Recognized
The surviving members of Queen—Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon—expressed their gratitude in a joint statement: “We are highly and deeply honoured to be given the Polar Music Prize this year. It’s incredible, thank you so much.”
Queen, founded in 1970, is renowned as one of the most successful bands in British music history. Their influence and popularity were amplified by the success of the 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, which became the highest-grossing music biopic of all time and won four Academy Awards, including a Best Actor Oscar for Rami Malek’s portrayal of legendary frontman Freddie Mercury, who passed away in 1991.
Herbie Hancock: Jazz Innovator
Now 84, Herbie Hancock reflected on the honor, stating: “The Polar Music Prize is a prestigious honour, and I am both thrilled and humbled to be a recipient. The Laureates who have come before me have left an indelible mark on humanity through their profound examples of inspiration and dedication.”
Hancock is recognized as a trailblazer in jazz, winning an Academy Award in 1987 for Best Original Score for Round Midnight—a historic achievement as he was the first Black composer to win in that category. With 14 Grammy Awards to his name, Hancock’s enduring artistry continues to inspire musicians across various genres.
Barbara Hannigan: Dual Talents
Barbara Hannigan, at 53, also expressed her appreciation, stating: “I am deeply moved and humbled to receive this year’s Polar Music Prize. Thank you so much for including me among this incredible and inspiring group of Laureates.” Hannigan began her career as a soprano before transitioning to conducting at the age of 40. She currently serves as the principal guest conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and l’Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, with plans to become the chief conductor of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in 2026.
A Celebration of Musical Excellence
The Polar Music Prize was founded in 1989 by Stig “Stikkan” Anderson, who played an instrumental role in the success of ABBA. Each year, the prize honors individuals who have made remarkable contributions to music across genres, and this year’s laureates will each receive a cash award of one million Swedish Krona—equivalent to approximately £74,082 GBP or $93,897 USD.
Previous recipients of the Polar Music Prize include a prestigious list of artists such as Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, and Ennio Morricone, highlighting the award’s commitment to celebrating a diverse range of musical talents.
With the Swedish royal family attending the ceremony, the Polar Music Prize continues to stand as a beacon of recognition for musicians who have profoundly impacted the global music landscape.
