Queen, Herbie Hancock, And Barbara Hannigan Have Been Named 2025 Polar Music Prize Laureates

British rock band Queen, jazz legend Herbie Hancock, and soprano/conductor Barbara Hannigan have been named as the recipients of the 2025 Polar Music Prize, which will be presented at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm on May 27. The three surviving members of Queen – Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon – said 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.” The 84-year-old Hancock said, “The Polar Music Prize is a prestigious honour, and I am both thrilled and humbled to be a recipient,” while the 53-year-old Hannigan shared, “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.” The prestigious award was founded in 1989 by Stig “Stikkan” Anderson, the manager, publisher, and lyricist for Swedish pop heroes, ABBA, and it has previously been awarded to music icons such as Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, and Patti Smith. (Billboard)