Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award Explained

Michael Jackson
Video Vanguard Award
Awarded For:Outstanding contributions and influence on music video and popular culture
Former Name:Video Vanguard Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
Presenter:MTV
Country:United States
Year:1984
Holder Label:Most recent winner(s)
Holder:Katy Perry
Website:VMA website

The Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, also known as the Video Vanguard Award or the Lifetime Achievement Award, is a merit given to recording artists 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.[1] [2] [3] As the ceremony's special category, the trophy is a gold-plated "moonman" rather than the silver ones of the other VMA categories.[4] 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.

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".[5] This naming again caused controversy after the release of Leaving Neverland (2019), a documentary about alleged child sexual abuse by Jackson.[6] [7] [8] As in previous ceremonies, MTV did not explicitly display Jackson's name on the television broadcast of the 2019 VMAs, although its website MTV.com still called it Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.[9] The year's recipient, Missy Elliott, did mention Jackson in her speech,[10] as did Nicki Minaj in her 2022 speech.[11] Shakira is the most recent recipient of the award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.[12]

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,[13] [14] 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 hits leading up to their acceptance speech.

Recipients

YearImageRecipientNationalityNotes
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."[15]
United States
United KingdomPresented by Herbie Hancock.[16]
United KingdomPresented by Chrissie Hynde. Byrne was honored for his work with Talking Heads.[17]
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.[18]
United KingdomPresented by Herbie Hancock.
*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.
[19]
[20]
PolandPresented by Pet Shop Boys.[21]
*United KingdomPresented by Laurie Anderson. Gabriel also won the Video of the Year for "Sledgehammer" on the same night.
United KingdomPresented by David Bowie.
United StatesPresented by Peter Gabriel. Jackson was the first African-American artist to receive the honor.
[22]
United KingdomPresented by Madonna.
United StatesPresented by Magic Johnson. Jackson remains the youngest person to receive the honor at 24 years old.
[23]
United StatesPresented by Arsenio Hall. The honor was renamed the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.[24]
[25]
United States
United StatesPresented by Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor.[26]
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United KingdomPresented by Jann Wenner. Given as the Lifetime Achievement Award.[27]
United StatesPresented by Billy Corgan.[28]
*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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United StatesPresented by Mariah Carey. LL Cool J became the first hip-hop rapper to receive the honor.[29]
[30]
United StatesPresented by Janet Jackson.
United StatesPresented by Chuck D.[31]
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United StatesPresented by Chris Rock and Lance Crouther[32]
IrelandPresented by Carson Daly.[33]
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United KingdomPresented by Kelly Osbourne and Avril Lavigne. Given as the Lifetime Achievement Award.[34]
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United StatesPresented by Kanye West. Given as the Video Vanguard Award.[35]
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*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.
[36]
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*United StatesPresented by Jimmy Fallon. Timberlake also won the Video of the Year for "Mirrors" on the same night.[37]
*United StatesPresented by her husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy Carter. Beyoncé won the Video of the Year twice, for "Single Ladies" in 2009 and "Formation" in 2016.
[38]
United StatesPresented by Taylor Swift.[39]
*BarbadosPresented by Drake. Rihanna previously won the Video of the Year twice, for "Umbrella" in 2007 and "We Found Love" in 2012.
[40]
*United StatesPresented by Ellen DeGeneres. P!nk previously won the Video of the Year for "Lady Marmalade" in 2001.
[41]
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, becoming the first entertainer to receive both honors from MTV. [42]
*United StatesPresented by Cardi B. Elliott previously won the Video of the Year for "Work It" in 2003. She became the first female rapper to receive the honor.
[43]
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Nicki MinajTrinidad and TobagoPresented by members of her fan club "The Barbz".[44]
[45]
[46]
ShakiraColombiaPresented by Wyclef Jean. Shakira is the first South American artist to receive the honor.[47]
Katy Perry *United StatesPerry previously won the Video of the Year for "Firework" in 2011.[48]

See also

References

Book sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rihanna Redefines Sporty Chic at VMAs Rehearsal. Rabideau. Camryn. August 28, 2016. InStyle. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407114035/https://www.instyle.com/celebrity/rihanna-redefines-sporty-chic-vma-rehearsal. April 7, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  2. Web site: Meet 'Dr. Luke,' the Man Behind Britney Spears' Award-Winning 'Till the World Ends' . Baker. Steven. Effron. Lauren. August 30, 2011. ABC News. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200326004357/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/man-britneys-award-winning-till-world-ends/story?id=14405542. March 26, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  3. Web site: Pink: 2017 VMAs Video Vanguard Award Honoree. Fabian. Renée. August 15, 2017. Grammy Awards. April 8, 2020.
  4. Web site: A Look Back at the Winners of the MTV VMAs Video Vanguard Award. Wandel. Becky. July 26, 2017. Elite Daily. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200408022347/https://www.elitedaily.com/entertainment/celebrity/winners-mtv-vmas-video-vanguard/2026704. April 8, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  5. Web site: Michael Jackson's Video Vanguard Award, In MJ's Top MTV Moments. Anderson. Kyle. June 26, 2009. MTV News. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150102031207/http://www.mtv.com/news/1614838/michael-jacksons-video-vanguard-award-in-mjs-top-mtv-moments/. January 2, 2015. April 8, 2020.
  6. Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award Teaches MTV the Risks of Naming an Award After a Celebrity: Analysis. Grein. Paul. September 3, 2019 . Billboard. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200408034114/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8528895/michael-jackson-video-vanguard-mtv-analysis. April 8, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  7. Web site: Michael Jackson's name removed from MTV's Video Vanguard Award. August 29, 2019. Gulf News. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200408022347/https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/hollywood/michael-jacksons-name-removed-from-mtvs-video-vanguard-award-1.1567090834985. April 8, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  8. Web site: It's Time for MTV to Rename the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Corry. Kristin. August 15, 2019. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200330213921/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/a35z55/its-time-for-mtv-to-rename-the-michael-jackson-video-vanguard-award. March 30, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  9. Web site: Missy Elliott, Culture-Shifting Visionary, Is Your 2019 VMA Video Vanguard. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809192146/https://www.mtv.com/news/8td1hp/missy-elliott-2019-vma-video-vanguard-award. dead. August 9, 2022. Roth. Madeline. August 12, 2019. MTV News. August 9, 2022.
  10. Web site: Video Vanguard Award. MTV. August 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200630085449/http://www.mtv.com/vma/honorees. June 30, 2020.
  11. Web site: Langston. Keith. Nicki Minaj honors Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston in VMAs Video Vanguard Award speech. August 28, 2022 . 2023-09-13. EW . en.
  12. Web site: Shakira to Receive MTV's Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at VMAs. Variety. August 28, 2023. Jem. Aswad. August 28, 2023.
  13. Web site: VMA Video of the Year Showdown: Who Will Win Night's Biggest Prize?. Montgomery. James. August 21, 2013. MTV News. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20200408054436/http://www.mtv.com/news/1712786/vma-video-of-the-year-showdown/. April 8, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  14. Ranking Every MTV VMAs Video of the Year. Arnold. Chuck. August 22, 2017. Entertainment Weekly. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200408022347/https://ew.com/music/2017/08/22/vmas-video-year-winners-ranking/. April 8, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  15. Web site: 50 things we wouldn't have without the Beatles. February 5, 2014. Time Out. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200408022349/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/50-things-we-wouldnt-have-without-the-beatles. April 8, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  16. Web site: Bette Midler Hosts, Cyndi Lauper Shines, Mannequins Are Set On Fire: Liveblogging The '84 VMAs. Bugbee. Teo. August 26, 2016. MTV News. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20200408022347/http://www.mtv.com/news/2923410/bette-midler-hosts-cyndi-lauper-shines-mannequins-are-set-on-fire-liveblogging-the-84-vmas/. April 8, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  17. Web site: Look Back at All the Artists Who Have Won MTV's Coveted Video Vanguard Award . Stephens. Britt. August 9, 2018. PopSugar. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407042546/https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/photo-gallery/45147365/embed/45148688/embed . April 7, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  18. Duran Duran's John Taylor, Director Russell Mulcahy Look Back on Classic Music Videos . Caulfield . Keith . November 3, 2014 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191105204843/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6296755/russell-mulcahy-duran-duran-john-taylor-classic-videos . November 5, 2019 . April 8, 2020.
  19. Jennifer Lopez to receive Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at 2018 MTV VMAs. Nolfi. Joey. July 31, 2018. Entertainment Weekly. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200419054406/https://ew.com/music/2018/07/31/jennifer-lopez-vmas-video-vanguard-award-2018/ . April 19, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  20. Web site: From 'You Might Think' to 'Humble,' watch every VMA Video of the Year winner ever. Parker. Lyndsey. August 19, 2018. Yahoo! Music. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200408022348/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/might-think-formation-watch-every-vma-video-year-winner-ever-173846790.html. April 8, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  21. A-Ha, Dire Straits Cop MTV Awards. September 20, 1986. Billboard. 84. April 8, 2020.
  22. Web site: Here Are All The Black Artists That Have Been Awarded MTV's Video Vanguard Award. Ransom. Danielle. August 27, 2019. BET. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407041025/https://www.bet.com/music/2019/08/27/all-the-black-artists-that-have-won-the-vanguard-award.html?cid=facebook. April 7, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  23. Web site: That's All Folks!. September 14, 1990. The Network Forty. 20. April 8, 2020.
  24. Web site: At MTV's Video Music Awards, it's not whether you win, it's whether you get to perform. Considine. J. D.. J. D. Considine. September 5, 1991. The Baltimore Sun. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200407105516/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-09-05-1991248094-story.html. April 7, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  25. Web site: Bon Jovi, 1991. Stephens. Britt. August 16, 2019. PopSugar. April 8, 2020.
  26. Web site: With 3 Awards, Van Halen Tops U2, Nirvana and Chili Peppers. Willman. Chris. September 11, 1992. Los Angeles Times. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407114037/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-09-11-ca-324-story.html. April 7, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  27. Web site: Jacksons, Roseanne Give MTV Awards a Tabloid Tilt. September 9, 1994. Los Angeles Times. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407114038/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-09-mn-36379-story.html. April 7, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  28. Web site: Snoop Doggy Dogg at Worcester Centrum; Burns Is Off Again. Catlin. Roger. September 15, 1994. Hartford Courant. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407114036/https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1994-09-15-9409220843-story.html. April 7, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  29. Web site: MTV Video Music Awards a Lifeless Affair. Catlin. Roger. September 6, 1997. Hartford Courant. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407101752/https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1997-09-06-9709060079-story.html. April 7, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  30. Web site: Kanye West Will Join These Elite Rappers As A VMA Vanguard Winner. Tardio. Andres. August 29, 2015. MTV News. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160702020448/http://www.mtv.com/news/2254763/kanye-west-hip-hop-vanguard-winners/. July 2, 2016. April 8, 2020.
  31. Web site: Chuck D Talks About Honoring Beastie Boys With Video Vanguard Award. MTV News Staff. September 10, 1998 . MTV News. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20200408070946/http://www.mtv.com/news/1425461/chuck-d-talks-about-honoring-beastie-boys-with-video-vanguard-award/. April 8, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  32. Web site: Red Hot Chili Peppers, 2000. Stephens . Britt. August 11, 2018. PopSugar. April 8, 2020.
  33. Web site: Fatboy Slim, 'NSYNC, 'Lady Marmalade' Gather Most Moonmen. Dangelo. Joe. September 7, 2001. . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407035440/http://www.mtv.com/news/1448719/fatboy-slim-nsync-lady-marmalade-gather-most-moonmen/. April 7, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  34. Justin, Beyoncé, Coldplay Lead VMA Winners. August 29, 2003. Billboard. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407032314/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/69352/justin-beyonce-coldplay-lead-vma-winners. April 7, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  35. Web site: Never Forget Kanye West's Epic 2004 VMA Appearance That Started It All. Alexis. Nadeska. August 25, 2015. MTV News. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20200407032319/http://www.mtv.com/news/2250270/kanye-west-first-mtv-vma-appearance-2004/. April 7, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  36. Web site: MTV VMAs: Lady Gaga Continues Her Alter Ego Act for Britney Spears Tribute. Schutte. Lauren. August 28, 2011. The Hollywood Reporter. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200408022347/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mtv-vmas-lady-gaga-continues-228732. April 8, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  37. Web site: Timberlake wins big at MTV awards. August 26, 2013. BBC. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190414221648/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-23839865. April 14, 2019. April 8, 2020.
  38. Web site: MTV VMAs 2014: Blue Ivy and Jay Z present Beyoncé with Michael Jackson. Selby. Jenn. August 25, 2014. The Independent. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200408020823/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/mtv-vmas-2014-blue-ivy-and-jay-z-present-beyonce-with-award-after-feminist-live-medley-performance-9689050.html. April 8, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  39. Taylor Swift Presents Kanye West With Video Vanguard Award. Feeney. Nolan. August 30, 2015. Time. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191007001759/https://time.com/4016437/vmas-2015-kanye-west-taylor-swift-video-vanguard-award/. October 7, 2019. April 8, 2020.
  40. Read Drake, Rihanna's Heartfelt Video Vanguard Award VMAs Speeches . August 29, 2016. Rolling Stone. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200408022347/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/read-drake-rihannas-heartfelt-video-vanguard-award-vmas-speeches-248567/. April 8, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  41. Web site: Pink admits her daughter was 'unimpressed' by her viral self-acceptance VMA speech . September 7, 2017. ABC News. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200129181905/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/pink-admits-daughter-unimpressed-viral-acceptance-vma-speech/story?id=49667101. January 29, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  42. Watch Jennifer Lopez Slay Her 2018 MTV VMAs Performance. Lang. Cady. August 20, 2018. Time. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190607073052/http://time.com/5356856/jennifer-lopez-mtv-vmas-performance-2018/. June 7, 2019. April 8, 2020.
  43. Missy Elliott's Vanguard Award Speech at the 2019 MTV VMAs: Watch. August 26, 2019 . Billboard. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200408021433/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/8528430/missy-elliott-vanguard-award-speech-2019-mtv-vmas. April 8, 2020. April 8, 2020.
  44. Web site: Grein. Paul. August 8, 2022. Nicki Minaj to Receive Video Vanguard Award and Perform Live at 2022 VMAs. August 8, 2022. Billboard.
  45. Web site: Watch Nicki Minaj Accept Video Vanguard Award, Perform Career-Spanning Medley At The VMAs. Stereogum. August 28, 2022. James. Rettig. August 29, 2022.
  46. Web site: Honorees. MTV. https://web.archive.org/web/20220823230330/https://www.mtv.com/vma/honorees. August 23, 2022. August 29, 2022.
  47. Web site: Shakira was the highlight of the 2023 MTV VMAs . . 13 September 2023 .
  48. Fekadu. Mesfin. Katy Perry to Receive Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at 2024 MTV VMAs. The Hollywood Reporter. August 15, 2024. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20240816020533/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/katy-perry-michael-jackson-video-vanguard-award-mtv-vmas-1235975562/. August 16, 2024. August 16, 2024.