Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn has been made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s New Year Honours list, which recognises British citizens for their achievements in public life and service to the United Kingdom.
47-year-old Albarn receives an OBE for his services to music. The honour tops a good year for the hyper-productive singer-songwriter, composer and producer, with 2015 marking the successful return of Blur, which released The Magic Whip -- its eighth studio album and first in over a decade -- in April.
The reunited band also embarked on a well-received world tour to accompany the album, including dates at New York’s Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl, as well as headlining the Isle of Wight Festival and London’s Hyde Park.