RIHANNA TO RECEIVE MICHAEL JACKSON VIDEO VANGUARD AWARD
The “MTV Video Music
Awards” will bestow Rihanna with its highest honor, the “Michael Jackson Video
Vanguard Award,” for her decade-long impact on music, pop culture, fashion,
film and philanthropy. Rihanna will
perform during the ceremony LIVE from New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden
on Sunday, August 28 at 9:00 PM ET/PT.
Two-time VMA “Video of the Year” winner and the youngest
solo artist to score 14 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100—the fastest to
do so, Rihanna’s unparalleled output of hits have spawned some of today’s most
memorable music videos from “Umbrella” to “We Found Love,” “Diamonds” and her
most recent collaboration with Drake on “Work.”
With this honor, Rihanna joins the prestigious list of
past Vanguard recipients including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Peter Gabriel,
Guns N’ Roses, Beastie Boys, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, BEYONCÉ and
Kanye West.
It is hard to believe that Rihanna is only 28 years old,
yet within the 10 years since the start of her musical career, she’s sold more
than 61 million albums and 215 million tracks worldwide. Rihanna is the “Best
Selling Digital Artist of All Time… with more than 100 million [RIAA] Gold
& Platinum song certifications” and an eight-time Grammy Award winner who
also counts 14 Billboard Music Awards among other countless music accolades.
Aside from her musical achievements, Rihanna is bona fide business woman with
multiple entrepreneurial ventures. However, most importantly, her undeniable
cultural influence has forever imprinted her in history as a Global Icon
despite her young age.
With over 81 million Facebook fans, 64 million Twitter
and 42 million Instagram followers, Rihanna is putting her influence to good
use via additional philanthropic efforts. Chief among these is her own Clara
Lionel Foundation. Established in 2012 and named after Rihanna’s beloved
grandparents Clara and Lionel Braithwaite, the foundation works to improve the
quality of life for communities globally in the areas of health, Education,
arts and Culture.
Fans can vote for their favorites in VMA categories
including, “Video of The Year,” “Best Male Video,” “Best Female Video,” new
category, “Breakthrough Long Form Video” and more by visiting vma.mtv.com. Vote across all categories to enter to win
the chance to go to the VMAs in NYC, thanks to Verizon, the presenter of this
year’s award voting. Additionally, voting for the "Best New Artist"
award, presented by Taco Bell®, will remain live through the 2016 “MTV Video
Music Awards” Pre-Show airing at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and new this year, fans can
cast their votes for the category via Facebook Messenger (starting 8/15). The top two artists will be revealed during
the pre-show, kicking off a live hashtag vote with the winner being announced
during the live main telecast.
Jesse Ignjatovic/Den of Thieves is the Executive Producer
for the 2016 "MTV Video Music Awards." Garrett English, Erik Flannigan, Sandy
Alouete, Lee Lodge and Jen Jones are Executive Producers. Garrett English also
serves as Executive in Charge of Production for MTV. Hamish Hamilton is Director. Wendy Plaut is
Executive in Charge of Celebrity Talent.
Want to stay in tune with all things VMA? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
and check out the official 2016 VMA Playlist from MTV & Spotify at
spotify.com/VMA.
Official sponsors of the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards
include: Orbit® Gum, PANTENE®, PEPSI®, Taco Bell®, Trojan™ Brand Condoms,
truth®, TWIX® and Verizon.
About MTV:
MTV is a global media brand inspired by the creative
spirit of music and the freedom and passion of youth. For more information, check out
http://www.mtvpress.com. MTV is a unit
of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA).
