From Head Hunters to Polar Prize: Herbie Hancock’s 2025 Triumph
Stockholm, Sweden – May 27, 2025 – Jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, received the prestigious 2025 Polar Music Prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at a glittering ceremony held at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm on Tuesday evening. The legendary musician was honored alongside rock band Queen and conductor-soprano Barbara Hannigan in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to music.
A Night of Musical Excellence
The ceremony took place in the Vinterträdgården room of the Grand Hôtel, with the awards presented by the Swedish royal family. The event was broadcast live on Swedish television channel TV4, bringing the prestigious ceremony to audiences across Sweden.
Hancock, one of the most influential jazz musicians of our time, has spent decades pushing the boundaries of musical expression, seamlessly blending jazz with funk, rock, and electronic music. His pioneering work has earned him 14 Grammy Awards and now places him among the elite recipients of the Polar Music Prize, often called the “Nobel Prize of Music.”
Hancock’s Heartfelt Acceptance
Upon receiving the award, Hancock delivered a moving acceptance speech that reflected his deep appreciation for the honor and his commitment to music’s transformative power. “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 said during the ceremony.
The jazz icon’s speech emphasized music’s universal language and its ability to unite people across cultural boundaries. He spoke passionately about his lifelong journey of musical exploration and the responsibility that comes with being recognized at such a high level. His words resonated with the distinguished audience, which included members of the Swedish royal family, fellow musicians, and cultural dignitaries.
A Legacy of Innovation
Herbie Hancock’s career spans over six decades, during which he has continuously redefined what jazz can be. From his early days with the Miles Davis Quintet to his groundbreaking solo albums like “Head Hunters” and “Future Shock,” Hancock has never been content to stay within traditional boundaries. His willingness to embrace new technologies and musical styles has made him a bridge between generations of musicians.
The Polar Music Prize, founded in 1989 by ABBA manager Stig Anderson, is an annual award, usually given to one contemporary and one classical musician. This year’s ceremony was exceptional in honoring three recipients, reflecting the diverse landscape of contemporary music.
Royal Recognition and Global Impact
The presence of the Swedish royal family at the ceremony underscored the international significance of the Polar Music Prize. King Carl XVI Gustaf personally presented the awards, highlighting the cultural importance placed on musical achievement in Sweden and internationally.
For Hancock, this recognition caps a remarkable career that has seen him influence countless musicians while maintaining his own artistic integrity. His acceptance of the prize was not just a personal milestone but a celebration of jazz music’s enduring relevance and its capacity to inspire new generations of artists.
In Prestigious Company
Hancock now joins an illustrious list of previous Polar Music Prize recipients, including Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Yo-Yo Ma, and many other musical legends. The award recognizes not just musical excellence but also the recipients’ contributions to the cultural fabric of society.
The 2025 ceremony, with its combination of rock legends Queen, jazz innovator Herbie Hancock, and contemporary classical artist Barbara Hannigan, perfectly encapsulated the prize’s mission to celebrate music’s diversity and its power to transcend boundaries.
As the King of Sweden handed Herbie the elegant crystal award, the room stood in prolonged applause — not just for his iconic career, but for the soul he brought into every note, and the bridges he built between genres, cultures, and generations.
Herbie stepped up to the microphone, his signature warmth glowing in his smile. A hush fell.
Herbie Hancock’s Speech:
“Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. What an incredible honor it is to be here tonight to receive the prestigious Polar Music Prize. I’m deeply humbled by this meaningful recognition.
“Thank you to the esteemed members of the Polar Music Prize Foundation. I accept this award not just for myself, but on behalf of all the musicians and dreamers who dare to believe that creativity and human connection can change the world.
“None of my music and dreams would have been possible without the invaluable guidance of my great mentors –my first piano teacher Mrs. Jordan; Miles Davis; and my best friend and Polar Prize laureate, Wayne Shorter; and SGI Buddhist leader and educator Daisaku Ikeda –each played a significant role in shaping my outlook and the direction of my music.
“Music is the creative footprint of humanity –telling our shared stories. The thing about music is: it teaches us to listen. And jazz specifically teaches us, how to listen together. It invites improvisation, demands adaptability and inspires active engagement. It’s about expressing yourself while also uplifting the voices around you.
“I truly believe that music and the arts can illuminate the path towards a more peaceful and compassionate world and it is vital that we, the artists, give back and share our knowledge and experiences with the younger generations, our leaders of tomorrow.
“Special thanks to all the musicians who I have had the pleasure of working with over the past seven decades. It’s a long list of some of the most creative minds on the planet. To my remarkable fellow honorees, laureates –Barbara Hannigan and Queen. You’ve made the world a better place through your artistry, your dedication, and your humanity.
“And my greatest thanks to my wife and my daughter, Jessica. The two most wonderful women in the world. With their support, they make it possible, day in and day out, for me to do what I do, and to accomplish what we’ve accomplished.
“In closing I would like to thank music’s greatest champions and supporters – our loving audiences and listeners around the world. And thank all of you for keeping music alive, well and vital. And for you being here to help me celebrate this great honor. And I want to graciously accept this award in the spirit of all the music that shaped me, my career and my life. Thank you so much.”
The audience rose again, this time not with applause alone, but with hearts stirred. That night, Herbie performed a delicate solo piece on the piano titled “Possibility”, blending echoes of the past with sounds of the future — a sonic prayer for unity.
And as the final chord faded into silence, it was clear: Herbie Hancock hadn’t just received the prize — he had reminded the world why music, at its best, is an act of love.
The International Committee of Artist for Peace wish to thank Polar Music Prize for the use of the photos and video.
See Herbie Hancock’s acceptance speech at the following YouTube video.
