U.S. disco legend Nile Rodgers, whose hits embrace “Le Freak” and “Good Times”, received Sweden’s 2024 Polar Music Prize with Finnish conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen, the jury mentioned on Tuesday.
Marie Ledin, managing director of the prize, referred to as Rodgers “a ground-breaking pioneer”.
Rodgers, 71, and Bernard Edwards, who made up the band Chic, co-wrote “Le Freak” about not getting right into a 1977 New Year’s Eve get together at New York City’s hip disco Club 54, regardless of a particular invitation from legendary singer-supermodel Grace Jones.
The music went on to develop into the most important promoting single within the historical past of the long-lasting Atlantic Records label.
Rodgers has additionally collaborated with, and produced songs for, among the greatest stars within the music trade.
They embrace Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family”, Diana Ross’ “Upside Down”, David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance”, Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky”.
“Nile’s impact in pop culture is incomparable and his timeless songs will continue to delight, uplift and inspire for many years to come,” Ledin mentioned.
His songs are “so well-crafted that they will outlive us all”, the jury mentioned in its quotation.
The prize jury hailed Salonen — whose titles embrace music director of the San Francisco Symphony and Conductor Laureate of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Philharmonia Orchestra in London — as “an innovator”.
“His creative curiosity, creativity and forward-thinking strategy to composing and conducting paves the way in which in classical music.
“He is a master of tone, perfectly balancing sound and emotion to produce and lead music that deeply moves the listener,” Ledin mentioned.
Salonen’s compositions vary from large-scale works for orchestra to virtuoso works for solo instrumentalists and chamber ensembles, in addition to movie scores.
The laureates will obtain their award, which features a money prize of 1 million kronor ($98,000), at a ceremony in Stockholm on May 21.
The Polar Prize was established in 1989 by the late Stig Anderson, supervisor of Swedish pop superstars ABBA, and selects two or three laureates every year.
Last 12 months, it honored singer Angelique Kidjo from Benin, together with Britain’s Chris Blackwell, founding father of Island Records, and Estonian composer Arvo Part.
Past winners have included Iggy Pop, Paul McCartney, Grandmaster Flash, Metallica, the Afghan National Institute of Music, Sting, Bob Dylan, Ravi Shankar and Dizzy Gillespie.
© 2024 AFP