MTV is set to award Kanye West with the VMA’s highest honor, the “Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award,” for his career-spanning groundbreaking videos, legendary VMA performances, and continued impact on music, art, fashion, and culture. The award will be presented during the 2015 “MTV Video Music Awards” that will air live on Sunday, August 30 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Throughout his career, West has blended musical and visual artistry to powerful effect. From his trilogy of videos for “Jesus Walks,” to the mind-bending animation of “Heartless,” to the arresting imagery of “Bound 2,” he’s pushed boundaries and delivered something new with every successive video.
West is also known for some of the most visually stunning VMA performances to date including, 2013’s “Blood on the Leaves,” “Otis” with JAY Z in 2011, the innovative, theatrical staging and visuals of “Runaway” in 2010, his performance debut with auto-tune on “Love Lockdown” in 2008, the hugely-influential, Daft Punk-sampling “Stronger” and “Good Life” with T-Pain in 2007; the mega-hit “Gold Digger” featuring Jamie Foxx in 2005, and his VMA debut performance with a medley of “Jesus Walks/All Falls Down/Through The Wire” featuring Chaka Khan in 2004.
With this honor, West joins the prestigious list of past Vanguard recipients including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Peter Gabriel, Guns N’ Roses, Beastie Boys, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and BEYONCÉ.
The 2015 MTV VMAs will feature Miley Cyrus as host. In addition, The Weeknd is confirmed to debut the first-ever televised performance of his hit single “Can’t Feel My Face.” Additional performers and presenters will be announced at a later date.
In addition, MTV has teamed up with world-renowned fashion designer Jeremy Scott to redesign the MTV Moonman for the 2015 “MTV Video Music Awards.” As homage to Jeremy and his creative talent, the 2015 VMA Moonman encapsulates the true iconic essence of both the fashion designer and the network. From the distinct color of the TV color bars, to the peace sign necklace, to Jeremy’s signature sneakers, the redesign of statue is part of MTV’s long-standing history of bridging the gap between the world of fashion and music.
Artists who win a 2015 “Video Music Award” will take home a special-edition Jeremy Scott Moonman, which was created exclusively for this year’s show.
The 2015 “MTV Video Music Awards” will air across MTV’s global network of channels in more than 160 countries and territories, reaching more than half a billion households around the world.
