6 Music - Music News

Paul Weller will be awarded with the Godlike Genius accolade at this year’s NME Awards.

He follows in the footsteps of 2009 winners Manic Street Preachers, The Cure, The Clash and New Order.

The singer, who’s had success with The Jam and The Style Council in the 70s and 80s, and been critically lauded for his solo work, will be presented with the gong which honours the music icons that have shaped music over the years.

Paul Weller said: "I'm very happy to accept the award, I don't feel Godlike or a genius but I'm happy to have it. It's nice to be recognised, you get your rewards in other ways too like playing live and seeing people's reaction, but it's nice to be recognised.

"I'm very flattered. I shall find a special place for it. A little altar to myself with garlands of flowers around it!"

Paul Weller

"I'm very flattered. I shall find a special place for it. A little altar to myself with garlands of flowers around it!"

It's also been unveiled 6 Music presenter Jarvis Cocker will host the ceremony at London's Brixton Academy on Thursday 24 February.

The eccentric former Pulp frontman performed at the bash in 2006, covering Heaven 17’s Temptation with The Gossip’s Beth Ditto.

He says he’s up to the test of entertaining a potentially rowdy rock 'n' roll crowd: "I’ve been to these awards things and I’ve read out nominations and things like that but I’ve never anchored the whole show before.

"That's a challenge. But yeah, I hope to keep people interested, stop them from dropping off… So yeah, lets do it! I’m excited about it."