MTV Kanye West To Receive The "Video Vaguard Award" at 2015 VMAs

Credit: MTV

MTV (DStv channel 130) is set to award Kanye West with the VMA’s highest honour, 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 live broadcast of the 2015 “MTV Video Music Awards” on Monday 31 August at 03:00 CAT. MTV also revealed that Pharrell Williams, Demi Lovato, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Tori Kelly, A$AP Rocky and Twenty One Pilots will be performing at the awards, alongside previously announced performer The Weeknd. The “MTV Video Music Awards” will air live across Africa on MTV (DStv channel 130) from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, on Monday 31 August at 03:00 CAT. 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. 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. Additional performers and presenters will be announced at a later date. 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.