Video Vanguard Award, Nominees, Winner List, and More

Delve into the iconic Video Vanguard Award, an accolade presented to trailblazing artists like Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez for their remarkable influence on music and visuals

by Keerthana

Updated Aug 31, 2023

Video Vanguard Award, Nominees, Winner List, and More
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Video Vanguard Award

The Video Vanguard Award, also known as the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, previously known as the Lifetime Achievement Award, is a prestigious honor presented to recording artists and music video directors during the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). Established in 1984, this award celebrates individuals' remarkable contributions and profound impact on both music videos and popular culture.

Presented by MTV, the award features a gold-plated "moonman" trophy, setting it apart from the silver trophies awarded in other VMA categories. The inaugural VMAs recognized The Beatles and director Richard Lester with the Video Vanguard Award for their pioneering work in music videos. Subsequently, Madonna became the first female recipient in 1986, and the award was renamed after Michael Jackson in 1991 to honor his groundbreaking contributions to video artistry.

Initially known as the Lifetime Achievement Award, the honor was bestowed upon Duran Duran in 2003 and director Hype Williams in 2006, when it was called the Video Vanguard Award. Following Michael Jackson's passing, his name was reinstated on the award in 2011, reflecting his revolutionary achievements in video art.

However, the use of his name has been met with controversy, particularly after the release of the documentary "Leaving Neverland," which detailed allegations of child sexual abuse against Jackson. Despite the controversy, the award continues to recognize iconic figures in the music industry.

Notably, the most recent recipient of the award was Nicki Minaj at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards. Throughout its history, the Video Vanguard Award has been conferred upon 35 distinguished artists, primarily of American and British Commonwealth origin, and has often been associated with the recipients' exceptional contributions to music and culture.

Video Vanguard Award Winners List

Year

Recipient

Nationality

1984

The Beatles

United Kingdom

Richard Lester

United States

David Bowie

United Kingdom

1985

David Byrne

United Kingdom

Russell Mulcahy

Australia

Godley & Creme

United Kingdom

1986

Madonna *

United States

Zbigniew Rybczyński

Poland

1987

Peter Gabriel *

United Kingdom

Julien Temple

United Kingdom

1988

Michael Jackson

United States

1989

George Michael

United Kingdom

1990

Janet Jackson

United States

1991

Bon Jovi

United States

Wayne Isham

United States

1992

Guns N' Roses

United States

1994

The Rolling Stones

United Kingdom

Tom Petty

United States

1995

R.E.M. *

United States

1997

LL Cool J

United States

Mark Romanek

United States

1998

Beastie Boys

United States

2000

Red Hot Chili Peppers

United States

2001

U2

Ireland

2003

Duran Duran

United Kingdom

2006

— Hype Williams

United States

2011

Britney Spears *

United States

2013

Justin Timberlake *

United States

2014

Beyoncé *

United States

2015

Kanye West

United States

2016

Rihanna *

Barbados

2017

Pink *

United States

2018

Jennifer Lopez

United States

2019

Missy Elliott *

United States

2022

Nicki Minaj

Trinidad and Tobago

Video Vanguard Award Nominees

The prestigious Video Vanguard Award, a recognition of outstanding contributions and influence in the realm of music, video, and popular culture, has been bestowed upon several remarkable artists. The list of Lifetime Video Vanguard Award recipients includes iconic figures like Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears, Missy Elliott, Kanye West, Madonna, and Jennifer Lopez. These trailblazers have left an indelible mark on the world of music and visuals, contributing significantly to its evolution and cultural impact.

Looking ahead to the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) nomiees Taylor Swift emerges as the frontrunner among the nominees, boasting an impressive eight nominations. Not far behind, SZA secures six nominations, while artists like Doja Cat, Kim Petras, Sam Smith, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo, and Nicki Minaj each capture five nominations, showcasing the diverse and vibrant talent present in the music industry.

Set to take place on September 12th at the Prudential Center for the second consecutive year, the MTV Video Music Awards promise an evening of celebration and recognition. This year's event will mark the VMAs' triumphant return to the Newark, New Jersey, venue, solidifying its status as a highly anticipated annual spectacle in the music world

Video Vanguard Award 2023 Shakira

At the upcoming 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, Shakira is set to make history by becoming the first South American artist to receive the prestigious Video Vanguard Award. This recognition honors her outstanding contributions and profound impact on music, video, and popular culture. Born in Colombia, Shakira will also become the second Latina artist to receive this award, following Jennifer Lopez, who was honored five years earlier.

The Video Vanguard Award has seen a strong female presence in recent years, with recipients like Rihanna, Pink, Jennifer Lopez, Missy Elliott, and Nicki Minaj. Shakira's achievement marks a significant milestone in her career, as she follows in the footsteps of these iconic artists.

Notably, Shakira is not only receiving this esteemed award but also taking the stage for a performance at the VMAs. This year's ceremony will mark her first performance on the VMA stage in 17 years. This tradition has been established since Justin Timberlake's 2013 performance, where recipients of the Video Vanguard Award deliver extended performances, often featuring a medley of their greatest hits.

In addition to her recognition and performance, Shakira's impressive year is underscored by her chart-topping achievements. Her collaboration with Karol G, "TQG," debuted and peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023. Furthermore, Shakira has set an impressive array of Guinness World Records, including the most streamed Latin track on Spotify in 24 hours and the fastest Latin track to reach 100 million views on YouTube.

This recognition acknowledges Shakira's global influence and trailblazing role in leading the globalization of Latin music. The 2023 VMAs will take place at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on September 12, showcasing Shakira's remarkable achievements and contributions to the music industry.

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Video Vanguard Award - FAQs

1. What is the Video Vanguard Award?  

The Video Vanguard Award is a prestigious honor presented at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) to artists and directors who have made significant contributions to music videos and pop culture.

2. Who are some past winners of the Video Vanguard Award?  

Notable winners include Madonna, Britney Spears, Kanye West, Jennifer Lopez, and Missy Elliott, among others, who have left an indelible mark on the music and entertainment industry.

3. How are Video Vanguard Award nominees selected?   

Nominees for the Video Vanguard Award are typically chosen based on their impact, innovation, and influence on music videos and pop culture.

4. Who leads the 2023 VMA nominations?   

Taylor Swift takes the lead with eight nominations for the 2023 VMAs, showcasing her continued dominance in the music scene.

5. Where will the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards take place?   

The 2023 VMAs are set to return on September 12th to the Prudential Center, marking the third occasion the event has been hosted at the Newark, N.J., venue.