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Queen receive BRIT Billion Award

By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 20 July 2023

Queen have become the latest act to receive a BRIT Billion Award for surpassing one billion streams in the UK. The band accepted the trophy just as they reached the 50th anniversary of their debut album, which was released in July 1973, the same year that BRIT Billion Award giver the BPI was formed. Which is all very convenient.

“Thank you for presenting Queen with a BRIT Billion Award”, says guitarist Brian May. “We’re grateful to all our fans that support us and continue to enjoy our music. Rock on BPI”.

Yes, rock on BPI, the rockingest of all the music trade bodies. Perhaps. But how does May’s bandmate Roger Taylor feel about all this? I bet he’s the one who’s “THRILLED” about it. He just seems like that kind of guy.

“I’m THRILLED”, he proclaims, “to accept the BRIT Billion Award on behalf of Queen, celebrating being streamed over a billion times in the UK, which is incredible. I would like to say thanks to everyone who has extracted a morsel of enjoyment from our music. We are still around and we hope to entertain you a little. Thank you”.

Someone who has seemingly experienced at the very least a morsel of enjoyment, and a little entertainment, from Queen’s music is new BPI CEO Jo Twist, who says: “There can be few artists who have done more to popularise and promote British music around the world than Queen”.

“The term ‘iconic’ barely does justice to their monumental achievements as recording artists”, she adds, “with their ‘Greatest Hits’ [compilation] the most successful album ever in the UK and their body of classic songs now celebrated for having being streamed more than a billion times in the UK”.

“Queen occupy a special place in the heart of the BPI”, she goes on. “Their self-titled debut album came out the same year we were formed and they were among the very first artists to win an inaugural BRIT Award – so we couldn’t be happier that they have now been honoured with a BRIT Billion Award in this, our 50th anniversary year”.

Gawd, there’s just so much to celebrate I think I need a little sit down. Maybe I’ll give Queen their billion and first stream to calm my nerves.

The BRIT Billion Award was formally introduced in May this year, and so far seventeen acts have received one, including Queen. The others are Abba, Coldplay, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, AJ Tracey, Headie One, Anne-Marie, Ellie Goulding, George Ezra, Lewis Capaldi, Raye, Rita Ora, James Arthur, Sam Smith and Becky Hill.