Kanye West tonight will receive the MTV’s highest Video Music Awards honor, the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, honoring a career of “groundbreaking videos, legendary VMA performances” and his impact on music, art, fashion and culture.
West will receive the award during the 2015 Video Music Awards ceremony, set for 6 p.m. at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
MTV officials said that throughout his career, West has “blended musical and visual artistry to powerful effect,” and has “pushed boundaries and delivered something new with every successive video.”
The network also hailed his history of memorable performances during VMA ceremonies, including 2013’s “Blood on the Leaves,” his 2011 pairing with Jay Z on “Otis” and his 2010 performance of “Runway.” It also noted his VMA performances with T-Pain, Jamie Foxx and Chaka Khan.
Past recipients of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award include Jackson, Madonna, Peter Gabriel, Guns N’ Roses, Beastie Boys, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Beyonce.
