Blur frontman Damon Albarn to receive NME Award for Innovation

Damon Albarn is to receive the NME Award For Innovation.

The Blur frontman - who is also a songwriter, producer and composer - has been honoured the accolade after being recognised as one of the UK's most influential artists.

NME magazine editor said: "Damon's enduring popularity is a testament to his unrivalled talent. He is somebody who is always pushing things forward, always operating in his own sphere and forever innovating via experimentation and collaboration.

"Britain rarely produces songwriters of Damon's calibre, which is why he's been so popular with NME's readers for the past two decades. I don't see that popularity waning any time soon, just as I don't see his ability to write life-affirming, jaw-dropping songs disappearing either. We're lucky to have him, and it's an absolute honour for us to be giving Damon the NME Award For Innovation."

The 45-year-old star will pick up his award - which celebrates artists who push boundaries, surprise and shock fans - at the NME awards on February 26, 2014, at the O2 Academy in Brixton, London.

Fans have been casting votes across 20 categories for this year's awards, and the Arctic Monkeys currently stand in the lead with eight nominations, Haim follow closely with six, while Queens of The Stone Age, Lily Allen and Arcade Fire all have three nods.

The event is being sponsored by the city of Austin in Texas.