Here are all the artists who have won the Video Vanguard Award at the MTV VMAs

In the same year, David Bowie also won the award in honor of his contributions to music video history.

Australian filmmaker Russell Mulcahy won in the same year for directing the first video ever played on MTV, “Video Killed the Radio Star.”

In 1986, Madonna became the first woman to win the Video Vanguard Award. She won the award the same year her third studio album, “True Blue,” was released.

British director Julien Temple received one of two Vanguard Awards in 1987 for his work creating music videos for David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and the Sex Pistols.

Michael Jackson was the sole winner of the Video Vanguard Award in 1988 after revolutionizing music videos with his 14-minute opus, “Thriller.”

Jackson’s video for “Billie Jean” is also regarded as the first video by a Black artist to be heavily played on MTV, according to Billboard.

In fact, a few years later, the award was renamed the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award — until 2019, when MTV quietly dropped his name from the title.

Janet Jackson, 24 at the time, followed in her brother’s footsteps by winning the Video Vanguard Award in 1990.

She was both the first Black woman and the youngest person ever to win the award. She still holds the title of youngest winner.

Rock band Guns N’ Roses won the 1992 Video Vanguard Award.

At the time, Queen’s Brian May said the award was for “almost single-handedly [putting] back the passion, and the anger, and the reality into a virtually dormant rock and roll industry,” per Billboard.

The Rolling Stones won the award that same year for their achievements in their career. 

In 1997, there were two winners of the Video Vanguard Award. American director Mark Romanek was recognized for his contribution to music videos, including Michael and Janet Jackson’s “Scream.”

Following LL Cool J’s footsteps, hip-hop group Beastie Boys won the Video Vanguard Award in 1998.

U2 won the Video Vanguard Award at the 2001 VMAs, marking back-to-back victories for rock bands.

During their acceptance speech, U2 invited members of The Ramones to join them onstage to honor Joey Ramone, who died earlier that year.

The Video Vanguard Award was retired for three years, then returned in 2006 to honor Hype Williams’ direction of several music videos, including Will Smith’s “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” TLC’s “No Scrubs,” and Kanye West’s “Gold Digger.”

Justin Timberlake received two big awards at the 2013 VMAs — both the Video Vanguard Award and video of the year for “Mirrors.” He also made headlines for reuniting *NSYNC during his medley performance.

In 2015, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) was presented with the Video Vanguard Award by Taylor Swift — six years after he infamously interrupted Swift during her acceptance speech best female video. Just a few years later, their fickle friendship would fall apart once again.

Ye also used his VMAs acceptance speech to announce he would run for president in 2020, which he eventually did and lost.

Pink (sometimes stylized as P!nk) accepted the Video Vanguard Award at the 2017 VMAs, where she gave an emotional speech about her daughter.

In 2019, Missy Elliot received the Video Vanguard Award for her impact on the music industry, ranging from “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” to “Work It” and “We Run This.”

Shakira, the 2023 recipient of the Video Vanguard Award, also performed at the VMAs for the first time in 17 years.

In a statement to Billboard, Bruce Gillmer, the president of music, music talent, programming, and events at Paramount, said: “Shakira is a true global force who continues to inspire and influence the masses with her unique, musical prowess.”

Gillmer continued: “She’s a trailblazer for women around the world and one of the first artists to lead the globalization of Latin music. Her massive impact across the musical landscape will be long-lasting as she continues to create and entertain at the highest level.”

Katy Perry will accept this year’s Video Vanguard Award just nine days before her new album, “143,” is set to drop.

The album’s two lead singles, “Woman’s World” and “Lifetimes,” have been heavily criticized by fans and critics — leading many to question Perry’s relevance in pop culture.

However, Perry will perform a medley of her biggest hits at the 2024 VMAs, which will surely include No. 1 songs from her dominance in the aughts, including “Teenage Dream,” “Firework,” and “Roar.”