The 2015 MTV Video Music Awards is scheduled for this Sunday, and Kanye West will take home the coveted Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, as previously reported by HNGN. It's the highest honor MTV can bestow and is reserved for artists who have made a profound contribution to pop culture through their music. In honor of Throwback Thursday, take a look back at the top seven performances by past Video Vanguard Award recipients.
7) Beastie Boys
The punk hip-hop pioneers were honored with the MTV Video Vanguard Award in 1998, and they performed a medley of their tunes, including that year's hit "Intergalactic," according to MTV. Michael "Mike D" Diamond, Adam "MCA" Yauch and Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz took the stage in red jumpsuits and opted for minimal stage props. All the Brooklyn natives needed to rock their set was a DJ booth and their microphones.
6) Britney Spears
The pop starlet received her Video Vanguard Award in 2011 and, while the artist didn't perform that year, a group of dancers paid tribute to some of her most iconic songs, including "I'm A Slave 4 U," according to MTV. Her original performance of the song at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards featured Spears dancing onstage with a large snake around her neck.
5) Beyoncé
Former "Destiny's Child" member and all-around diva Beyoncé was honored with her Video Vanguard Award in 2014, according to MTV. She performed a 16-minute medley of all of her best hits in a career-defining moment. She closed out her marathon performance with "XO."
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4) The Rolling Stones
The iconic rock and roll band received its Video Vanguard Award in 1994, according to MTV. The band's legacy was celebrated in an introduction speech by Rolling Stone magazine founder Jann Wenner. The Stones then performed two of its hit songs, 1994's "Love Is Strong" and 1981's "Start Me Up."
3) Justin Timberlake
The boy band heartthrob-turned-pop music icon was an honoree of the Video Vanguard Award in 2013, according to MTV. He celebrated by performing a 15-minute medley of songs spanning his entire musical career. He even invited his fellow *NSYNC bandmates to join him onstage for a performance of 2001's "Girlfriend," which was met with ear-shattering screams from the audience.
2) Madonna
The reigning queen of pop received her award during the third-ever MTV Video Music Awards in 1986, according to MTV. But it was her performance of "Like A Virgin" during the 1984 ceremony that carved out her huge role in VMA and pop culture history. She pushed the envelope and rolled around on the stage, gyrating her hips in a pure white wedding dress. She set the bar for every performer that came after her.
1) Michael Jackson
Pop music icon Michael Jackson was awarded with the Video Vanguard award in 1988 and, three years later, MTV renamed the award after him, according to MTV. But it was his 15-minute opening performance at the 1995 ceremony that proved he rightfully earned the title King of Pop. He churned out hit after hit, from "Beat It" to "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough." He was joined by legendary Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, who performed the solo during "Black or White."
The 2015 MTV Video Music Awards will air Sunday, Aug. 30, at 9 p.m., with scheduled performances by Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Demi Lovato, Pharrell Williams and more.
