MTV Video Vanguard Award

The following is a list of recipients of the MTV Video Vanguard Award.

The Video Vanguard Award, also known as the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award or the Lifetime Achievement Award, is given to musicians who have made a profound effect on the MTV culture. The award is also given to music video directors who have created some of the most popular and acclaimed music videos in MTV history. The award has come under fire because MTV hardly handed the award out during the 1990s and 2000s. While the recipients of the award have included some of the most popular and acclaimed artists in MTV history, MTV has been criticized for not handing out the award to other artists that some see as having an effect on MTV (such as Nirvana, Tupac Shakur, Mariah Carey, Run-DMC and Bruce Springsteen).

Year	Recipient	Notes
1984	David Bowie The Beatles Richard Lester	Both Lester and The Beatles were honored for "essentially inventing the music video."
1985	David Byrne Russell Mulcahy Kevin Godley & Lol Creme	Byrne was honored for his work with Talking Heads. Godley and Creme are acclaimed music video directors. Mulcahy was honored as the director of The Buggles' "Video Killed The Radio Star," the first video played on MTV.
1986	Madonna Zbigniew Rybczyński	Madonna found immense popularity by pushing the boundaries of lyrical content in mainstream popular music and imagery in her music videos, which became a fixture on MTV. Her videos have depicted controversial subjects such as teen pregnancy, racism, religion, sex, and violence. And she received this Lifetime Achievement Video Vanguard Award in 1986 for her contributions to the world of music video.
1987	Peter Gabriel Julien Temple
1988	Michael Jackson	Michael Jackson changed the music video from a mere promotional tool featuring musicians playing instruments and singing, to a piece of art with a storyline, or as Jackson liked to put as 'short films'. His video Thriller influenced and changed music videos into what it is like today.
1989	George Michael	Presented by Madonna honored George Michael for his acclaimed album Faith with hits like "I Want Your Sex", "Faith", "Father Figure", "One More Try", "Monkey", and "Kissing a Fool" which 4 went #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 out of the 6 singles.
1990	Janet Jackson	Her music videos from the 1980s became a catalyst for MTVs developing demographics. Her Broadway-style choreography and militant iconography were well received by critics and audiences. She was acknowledged as a role model for youth (especially young women) for imbuing her performances with a socially conscious message.
1991	Bon Jovi & Wayne Isham	Renamed Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award from this year.
1992	Guns N' Roses
1994	Tom Petty The Rolling Stones	The award given to the Rolling Stones was a Lifetime Achievement Award.
1995	R.E.M.
1997	Mark Romanek LL Cool J	LL Cool J is the first rap artist to receive this award.
1998	Beastie Boys	Chuck D of Public Enemy delivered a glowing appraisal of the band before presenting them with the award. Upon receiving the award, Adam Yauch took the opportunity to speak his mind on some politic issues, condemning military aggression.
2000	Red Hot Chili Peppers
2001	U2
2003	Duran Duran	Given as Lifetime Achievement Award
2006	Hype Williams	Given by Kanye West in honor of his achievements as a "film maker"
2011	Britney Spears	Given by Lady Gaga in honor of her achievements and her contributions to pop music. Award given after a choreographed tribute of Spears biggest hits performed by children.