2025 Polar Music Prize honors Queen, Herbie Hancock and Barbara Hannigan

British rock band Queen, American jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, and Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan have been awarded the 2025 Polar Music Prize. The Polar Music Prize recognized Queen for their "distinctive and instantly recognizable sound that no one else can emulate," highlighting their iconic status in the music world, said Reuters.

In a statement, the prize committee noted, "Queen were not exaggerating when they sang 'We are the Champions'." The band has sold over 300 million albums globally, featuring timeless hits like "We Will Rock You," "Another One Bites The Dust," and "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Founded in 1970, Queen was originally comprised of flamboyant frontman Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, and bassist John Deacon. The band is renowned for their electrifying performances, including a legendary appearance at the Live Aid concert in 1985. After Mercury's death in 1991, Queen reformed in 2004 with a series of new vocalists.

They share the prize with Herbie Hancock, a celebrated jazz pianist known for his collaborations with legends like Miles Davis, and Barbara Hannigan, who is recognized for her work as both a soprano and conductor.

The Polar Music Prize was established in 1989 by Stig Anderson, the publisher and manager of ABBA. Previous recipients include notable artists such as Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Sting, Elton John, and Metallica.