MTV Video Vanguard Winners Through the Years

Credit: Shutterstock (3)

MTV Video Vanguard Winners Through the Years

The art of making an iconic music video! MTV has honored Madonna, Britney Spears, Kanye West and more legendary artists with the Video Vanguard Award at the Video Music Awards. David Bowie was the first artist to receive the top honor at the inaugural VMAs in 1984. Seven years later, the network renamed the award to honor Michael Jackson, who was presented the Moon Person in 1988. The name was once again changed in 2019 after Jackson came under fire for sexual abuse allegations in HBO's Leaving Neverland documentary, with all mentions of the late performer removed from the awards' website and 2019 broadcast. (Jackson, who died in 2009, denied all allegations against him in the past.) At the 36th annual VMAs, Missy Elliot made history as the first female rap artist to accept the Vanguard Award, which is not presented every year. In 2018, Jennifer Lopez became the first Latin artist to win the award. [jwplayer D48gFsEb-l3ahXupL] “I grew up on MTV. This is really like, a tremendous honor for me. It has been an incredible journey of dreaming my wildest dreams, and then kind of watching them come true,” the “Waiting For Tonight” singer said during her acceptance speech before gushing over her twins, Max and Emme. “There is so much more to do, and I know in my heart that the future is even brighter than anything I could have accomplished up to now because of you." After thanking several of her past collaborators, Lopez made viewers at home swoon with a sweet shout-out to then-fiancé Alex Rodriguez. (The pair later called it quits in April 2021.) “You are like my twin soul. We are like mirror images of each other,” the performer said. “My life is sweeter and better with you in it because you make me realize that every day, the sky is not the limit. The universe is infinite, and so is what we can accomplish together, with love and trust and understanding. There so much more to do and to experience, and there is nobody I would rather do it with, baby. You are my macho, and I love you.” The trophy was no longer awarded after 2019, with Lady Gaga receiving the first-ever Tricon Award at the August 2020 ceremony. In September 2021, Foo Fighters will be honored with the Global Icon Award. Scroll through to revisit some of the most memorable Video Vanguard Award winners over the years. [podcast_block]

Credit: ITV/Shutterstock

1984

David Bowie, The Beatles and director Richard Lester shared the honor at the first-ever VMAs.

Credit: Paul Hurschmann/AP/Shutterstock

1986

Madonna was the first woman to take home the top honor.

Credit: Shutterstock

1988

Three years before the award was renamed in his honor, Michael Jackson was presented the statue. 

Credit: Charles Sykes/Shutterstock

1990

Michael’s sister Janet Jackson made history as the first African American woman to win the Vanguard Award.

Credit: Ilpo Musto/Shutterstock

1991

Bon Jovi were presented with the Video Vanguard Award in 1991, which the band shared with "It's My Life" music video director Wayne Isham. This was also the year MTV changed the title of the honorary award to the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

Credit: Emile Wamsteker/AP/Shutterstock

1997

LL Cool J was the first rapper to accept the iconic Moon Person.

Credit: Suzanne Plunkett/AP/Shutterstock

2001

U2 paid tribute to The Ramones’ Joey Ramone during their acceptance speech. The rocker died weeks before the ceremony.

Credit: Chris Pizzello/AP/Shutterstock

2011

Britney Spears was the third woman to accept the honor. 

Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock

2013

Justin Timberlake reunited with his former 'NSync band members during a greatest hits performance before he was presented with the Moon Person.

Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

2014

Beyoncé’s husband, Jay-Z, and daughter Blue Ivy were on hand to present her with the special honor. 

Credit: Matt Sayles/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

2015

Kanye West announced his plans to run for president in 2020 during his acceptance speech.  

Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

2016

Rihanna performed four separate times before she returned to the stage to take home the Vanguard Award.

Credit: Rob Latour/Shutterstock

2017

Pink wowed with a greatest hits medley before sharing a heartbreaking story about her daughter, Willow, being bullied for her looks during her acceptance speech. 

Credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

2018

Jennifer Lopez performed at the VMAs for the first time since 2001 ahead of her big win. 

Credit: Amy Harris/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

2019

Missy Elliott made history as the first female rapper to win the Vanguard Award.

Credit: MTV

2022

The "Super Bass" artist took home the iconic Moonperson in 2022, thanking countless artists, her beloved Barbz and more. Minaj got emotional while giving a shout-out to her young son, referring to him by his nickname, "Papa Bear."