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Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award

Annual music video award

Annual music video award

FieldValue
nameMichael Jackson
Video Vanguard Award
image1988 Video Vanguard Award trophy.jpg
captionThe 1987–1988 Video Vanguard Award received by Michael Jackson
imagesize230px
awarded_forOutstanding contributions and influence on music video and popular culture
former nameVideo Vanguard Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
presenterMTV
countryUnited States
year1984
holder_labelMost recent winner(s)
holderMariah Carey ()
website[VMA website](https://www.mtv.com/vma)
sponsorToyota (2023–present)

Video Vanguard Award Lifetime Achievement Award The Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, is a merit given to musicians and music video directors at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), a ceremony that was established in 1984. It is presented by MTV for "outstanding contributions" and "profound impact" on music videos and popular culture. As the ceremony's special category, the trophy is a gold-plated "moonman" rather than the regular silver one.

The Beatles and director Richard Lester were honored with the Video Vanguard Award at the inaugural VMAs for "essentially inventing the music video." David Bowie also received the award at the same ceremony. Two years later, Madonna became the first female recipient. In 1991, the award was renamed after Michael Jackson, who had previously won the 1988 trophy. Beginning in 2023, Toyota sponsors the category through a partnership with Paramount Global, resulting in the award being presented as the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award Presented by Toyota.

It was presented as the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2003 VMAs to Duran Duran, and in 2006 as the Video Vanguard Award to director Hype Williams. Following Jackson's death, the award returned with his name restored in 2011. According to MTV, his name was attached to the award due to "Jackson's groundbreaking work as a video artist". This naming again caused controversy after the release of Leaving Neverland (2019), a documentary about alleged child sexual abuse by Jackson. As in previous ceremonies, MTV did not explicitly display Jackson's name on the television broadcast of the 2019 edition, although its website MTV.com still called it Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. The year's recipient, Missy Elliott, did mention Jackson in her speech, as did Nicki Minaj in her 2022 speech. Mariah Carey is the most recent recipient of the award at the 2025 ceremony.

Since its inception, the Video Vanguard Award has been awarded to 35 acts, with most of them being of American or British origin, except Russell Mulcahy (1985, Australian), Zbigniew Rybczyński (1986, Polish), U2 (2001, Irish), Rihanna (2016, Barbadian), Nicki Minaj (2022, Trinidadian), and Shakira (2023, Colombian). Out of all the winners, nine acts have also won the VMAs' biggest prize, Video of the Year, including Peter Gabriel and Justin Timberlake, who both earned the two awards in the same night. Since 2013, recipients have been invited to perform a medley of songs leading up to their acceptance speech.

Recipients

YearImageRecipientNationalityNotesRef.
[[File:The Beatles members at New York City in 1964.jpg100px]]United KingdomPresented by the Police members Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland. The Beatles and Richard Lester, director of *A Hard Day's Night* (1964) and *Help!* (1965), were honored for "essentially inventing the music video."
[[File:Richard Lester Bologna 2014 (cropped).jpg100px]]United States
[[File:David Bowie (1987).jpg100px]]United KingdomPresented by Herbie Hancock.
[[File:David Byrne 2006.jpg100px]]United KingdomPresented by Chrissie Hynde. Byrne was honored for his work with Talking Heads.
AustraliaPresented by John Taylor and Andy Taylor. Mulcahy was the director of The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star", the first video played on MTV.
[[File:Godley & Creme.jpg100px]]United KingdomPresented by Herbie Hancock.
[[File:Madonna_at_the_premiere_of_I_Am_Because_We_Are.jpg100px]]*United StatesPresented by Robert Palmer. Madonna became the first woman to receive the honor. She later won the Video of the Year for "Ray of Light" in 1998.
[[File:Zbigniew Rybczyński.jpg100px]]PolandPresented by Pet Shop Boys.
[[File:Peter Gabriel-Conspiracy of Hope-by Steven Toole.jpg100px]]*United KingdomPresented by Laurie Anderson. Gabriel also won the Video of the Year for "Sledgehammer" on the same night.
[[File:Julien Temple.jpg100px]]United KingdomPresented by David Bowie.
[[File:Michael Jackson, 1988 (46845017052).jpg100px]]United StatesPresented by Peter Gabriel. Jackson was the first African-American artist to receive the honor.
[[File:George Michael (2011).jpg100px]]United KingdomPresented by Madonna.
[[File:JanetJacksonUnbreakableTourSanFran2015 (cropped).jpg100px]]United StatesPresented by Magic Johnson. Jackson remains the youngest person to receive the honor at 24 years old.
[[File:Bon Jovi 2010.png100px]]United StatesPresented by Arsenio Hall. The honor was renamed the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
[[File:Wayne Isham nagroda-Award Outstanding Achieverements in the Field of Music Videos. Camerimage 2017 (cropped).jpg100px]]United States
[[File:Guns n Roses Nottingham 2012.JPG100px]]United StatesPresented by Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor.
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[[File:The Rolling Stones Summerfest in Milwaukee - 2015.jpg100px]]United KingdomPresented by Jann Wenner. Given as the Lifetime Achievement Award.
[[File:Tom Petty 2016 - Jun 20.jpg100px]]United StatesPresented by Billy Corgan.
[[File:Padova REM concert July 22 2003 blue.jpg100px]]*United StatesPresented by Drew Barrymore. R.E.M. previously won the Video of the Year for "Losing My Religion" in 1991.
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[[File:LL.COOL J. 1999.jpg100px]]United StatesPresented by Mariah Carey. LL Cool J became the first hip-hop rapper to receive the honor.
[[File:Mark Romanek Tokyo Intl Filmfest 2010.jpg100px]]United StatesPresented by Janet Jackson.
[[File:Beastie Boys 2009 (6184423405).jpg100px]]United StatesPresented by Chuck D.
colspan="5"
[[File:Rhcp-live-pinkpop05.jpg100px]]United StatesPresented by Chris Rock and Lance Crouther
[[File:U2 on Joshua Tree Tour 2017 Brussels 8-1-17.jpg100px]]IrelandPresented by Carson Daly.
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[[File:EXIT 2012 Duran Duran (1).jpg100px]]United KingdomPresented by Kelly Osbourne and Avril Lavigne. Given as the Lifetime Achievement Award.
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United StatesPresented by Kanye West. Given as the Video Vanguard Award.
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colspan="5"
colspan="5"
colspan="5"
[[File:Britney_Spears_2013_(Straighten_Crop)_(cropped).jpg100px]]*United StatesPresented by Lady Gaga. The award was renamed again to the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Spears previously won the Video of the Year for "Piece of Me" in 2008.
colspan="5"
[[File:Justin_Timberlake_Cannes_2013.jpg100px]]*United StatesPresented by Jimmy Fallon. Timberlake also won the Video of the Year for "Mirrors" on the same night.
[[File:Beyoncé_in_2004_(cropped).jpg100px]]*United StatesPresented by Jay-Z and Blue Ivy Carter. Beyoncé won the Video of the Year twice, for "Single Ladies" in 2009 and "Formation" in 2016.
[[File:Kanye West at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.jpg100px]]United StatesPresented by Taylor Swift.
[[File:Rihanna_Fenty_2018.png100px]]*BarbadosPresented by Drake. Rihanna previously won the Video of the Year twice, for "Umbrella" in 2007 and "We Found Love" in 2012.
[[File:P!nk - V2017 Hylands Park Chelmsford - Saturday 19th August 2017 PinkVFest190817-35 (36356783410) (cropped 2).jpg100px]]*United StatesPresented by Ellen DeGeneres. P!nk previously won the Video of the Year for "Lady Marmalade" in 2001.
[[File:Jennifer Lopez at GLAAD Media Awards (cropped).jpg100px]]United StatesPresented by Shawn Mendes. Lopez became the first ethnic Latin artist to receive the honor. Lopez was later the recipient of the MTV Generation Award at the [2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards](2022-mtv-movie-tv-awards), becoming the first entertainer to receive both honors from MTV.
[[File:Missy_Elliot.jpg100px]]*United StatesPresented by Cardi B. Elliott previously won the Video of the Year twice, for "Lady Marmalade" in 2001 and "Work It" in 2003. She became the first female rapper to receive the honor.
colspan="5"
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[[File:Nicki_Minaj_interview_2016_(cropped).jpg121x121px]]Nicki MinajTrinidad and TobagoPresented by members of her fan club "The Barbz".
[[File:2023-11-16 Gala de los Latin Grammy, 03 (cropped)01.jpg100px]]ShakiraColombiaPresented by Wyclef Jean. Shakira is the first South American artist to receive the honor.
[[File:KatyPerryWestminst111224_(81_of_95)_(54206733094)_(cropped).jpg100px]]Katy Perry *United StatesPresented by Orlando Bloom. Perry previously won the Video of the Year for "Firework" in 2011.
[[File:MariahRAH270519-67 (49620841538) (cropped).jpg100px]]Mariah CareyUnited StatesPresented by Ariana Grande. At 56 years old, Carey is the oldest person to receive the honor.

References

Citations

Book sources

References

  1. Rabideau, Camryn. (August 28, 2016). "Rihanna Redefines Sporty Chic at VMAs Rehearsal".
  2. (August 30, 2011). "Meet 'Dr. Luke,' the Man Behind Britney Spears' Award-Winning 'Till the World Ends'". [[ABC News (United States).
  3. Fabian, Renée. (August 15, 2017). "Pink: 2017 VMAs Video Vanguard Award Honoree". [[Grammy Awards]].
  4. Wandel, Becky. (July 26, 2017). "A Look Back at the Winners of the MTV VMAs Video Vanguard Award".
  5. Bradley, Bill. (September 12, 2023). "Why the VMAs' Biggest Winners Are Its Brand Partners".
  6. Anderson, Kyle. (June 26, 2009). "Michael Jackson's Video Vanguard Award, In MJ's Top MTV Moments". [[MTV News]].
  7. Grein, Paul. (September 3, 2019). "Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award Teaches MTV the Risks of Naming an Award After a Celebrity: Analysis".
  8. (August 29, 2019). "Michael Jackson's name removed from MTV's Video Vanguard Award". [[Gulf News]].
  9. Corry, Kristin. (August 15, 2019). "It's Time for MTV to Rename the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award".
  10. Roth, Madeline. (August 12, 2019). "Missy Elliott, Culture-Shifting Visionary, Is Your 2019 VMA Video Vanguard". [[MTV News]].
  11. "Video Vanguard Award". [[MTV]].
  12. Langston, Keith. (August 28, 2022). "Nicki Minaj honors Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston in VMAs Video Vanguard Award speech".
  13. Montgomery, James. (August 21, 2013). "VMA Video of the Year Showdown: Who Will Win Night's Biggest Prize?". [[MTV News]].
  14. Arnold, Chuck. (August 22, 2017). "Ranking Every MTV VMAs Video of the Year".
  15. (February 5, 2014). "50 things we wouldn't have without the Beatles".
  16. Bugbee, Teo. (August 26, 2016). "Bette Midler Hosts, Cyndi Lauper Shines, Mannequins Are Set On Fire: Liveblogging The '84 VMAs". [[MTV News]].
  17. Stephens, Britt. (August 9, 2018). "Look Back at All the Artists Who Have Won MTV's Coveted Video Vanguard Award".
  18. Caulfield, Keith. (November 3, 2014). "Duran Duran's John Taylor, Director Russell Mulcahy Look Back on Classic Music Videos".
  19. {{harvnb. Hoye. Levin. Cohn. 2001
  20. {{harvnb. Hoye. Levin. Cohn. 2001
  21. Nolfi, Joey. (July 31, 2018). "Jennifer Lopez to receive Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at 2018 MTV VMAs".
  22. Parker, Lyndsey. (August 19, 2018). "From 'You Might Think' to 'Humble,' watch every VMA Video of the Year winner ever". [[Yahoo! Music]].
  23. (September 20, 1986). "A-Ha, Dire Straits Cop MTV Awards".
  24. {{harvnb. Hoye. Levin. Cohn. 2001
  25. Ransom, Danielle. (August 27, 2019). "Here Are All The Black Artists That Have Been Awarded MTV's Video Vanguard Award". [[BET]].
  26. {{harvnb. Halstead. Cadman. 2003
  27. {{harvnb. Rees. 1991
  28. (September 14, 1990). "That's All Folks!".
  29. Considine, J. D.. (September 5, 1991). "At MTV's Video Music Awards, it's not whether you win, it's whether you get to perform".
  30. Stephens, Britt. (August 16, 2019). "Bon Jovi, 1991".
  31. Willman, Chris. (September 11, 1992). "With 3 Awards, Van Halen Tops U2, Nirvana and Chili Peppers".
  32. (September 9, 1994). "Jacksons, Roseanne Give MTV Awards a Tabloid Tilt".
  33. Catlin, Roger. (September 15, 1994). "Snoop Doggy Dogg at Worcester Centrum; Burns Is Off Again".
  34. Catlin, Roger. (September 6, 1997). "MTV Video Music Awards a Lifeless Affair".
  35. Tardio, Andres. (August 29, 2015). "Kanye West Will Join These Elite Rappers As A VMA Vanguard Winner". [[MTV News]].
  36. MTV News Staff. (September 10, 1998). "Chuck D Talks About Honoring Beastie Boys With Video Vanguard Award". [[MTV News]].
  37. Stephens, Britt. (August 11, 2018). "Red Hot Chili Peppers, 2000".
  38. Dangelo, Joe. (September 7, 2001). "Fatboy Slim, 'NSYNC, 'Lady Marmalade' Gather Most Moonmen". [[MTV News]].
  39. (August 29, 2003). "Justin, Beyoncé, Coldplay Lead VMA Winners".
  40. Alexis, Nadeska. (August 25, 2015). "Never Forget Kanye West's Epic 2004 VMA Appearance That Started It All". [[MTV News]].
  41. Schutte, Lauren. (August 28, 2011). "MTV VMAs: Lady Gaga Continues Her Alter Ego Act for Britney Spears Tribute".
  42. (August 26, 2013). "Timberlake wins big at MTV awards". [[BBC News]].
  43. Selby, Jenn. (August 25, 2014). "MTV VMAs 2014: Blue Ivy and Jay Z present Beyoncé with Michael Jackson". [[The Independent]].
  44. Feeney, Nolan. (August 30, 2015). "Taylor Swift Presents Kanye West With Video Vanguard Award".
  45. (August 29, 2016). "Read Drake, Rihanna's Heartfelt Video Vanguard Award VMAs Speeches".
  46. (September 7, 2017). "Pink admits her daughter was 'unimpressed' by her viral self-acceptance VMA speech". [[ABC News (United States).
  47. Lang, Cady. (August 20, 2018). "Watch Jennifer Lopez Slay Her 2018 MTV VMAs Performance".
  48. (August 26, 2019). "Missy Elliott's Vanguard Award Speech at the 2019 MTV VMAs: Watch".
  49. Grein, Paul. (August 8, 2022). "Nicki Minaj to Receive Video Vanguard Award and Perform Live at 2022 VMAs".
  50. Rettig, James. (August 28, 2022). "Watch Nicki Minaj Accept Video Vanguard Award, Perform Career-Spanning Medley At The VMAs".
  51. "Honorees". MTV.
  52. (September 13, 2023). "Shakira was the highlight of the 2023 MTV VMAs". [[Los Angeles Times]].
  53. Fekadu, Mesfin. (August 15, 2024). "Katy Perry to Receive Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at 2024 MTV VMAs".
  54. (August 21, 2025). "Mariah Carey to perform, be honored at MTV Video Music Awards". [[United Press International]].
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