MTV will honor Missy Elliott with this year’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award during the 2019 VMAs. Missy Elliott will receive the Vanguard Award – the Video Music Awards‘ highest honor – during the live awards show on Monday, August 26th. This year’s show will mark the first performance by Elliott on the VMAs stage since 2003.
Missy Elliott will also be honored with a pop-up fan event in conjunction with the VMAs. The “MTV & Pepsi Celebrate the Museum of Missy Elliott” will be open in New York City on August 24-25th and “will highlight this unapologetic icon who helped redefine hip-hop. As fans walk through the installations, they will be completely immersed in some of Elliott’s most groundbreaking music videos and costumes.”
Specifics on the location and tickets will be announced closer to the opening date.
“Missy’s impact on the music landscape is indelible,” stated Bruce Gillmer, Head of Music and Music Talent, Viacom and Co-Brand Head, MTV International. “Her creative vision across production, performance and songwriting is unmatched.”
Previous Vanguard Award winners include Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Guns N’ Roses, Britney Spears, Rihanna, and P!nk. Missy Elliott is the first solo female rapper chosen to receive the Vanguard Award.
The 2019 VMAs will be hosted by comedian/author Sebastian Maniscalco. The show will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and will air live on MTV.
Bruce Gillmer and Jesse Ignjatovic are executive producing the VMAs.
More on Missy Elliott, Courtesy of MTV:
“Elliott is a groundbreaking solo superstar, pioneering producer, songwriter, singer, rapper and cultural icon who has transformed the global music scene. The five-time GRAMMY® Award winner has achieved unprecedented success and sold over 30 million records worldwide. Known for classic hit singles, “Work It,” “Get Ur Freak On” and “WTF (Where They From),” Elliott leads the field in her innovation, creativity and influence on other artists.
Earlier this year, she was named the first female hip-hop artist inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Elliott has an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music, and is the only female rapper to have six studio albums certified platinum, including her debut 1997 album Supa Dupa Fly, and 2002 blockbuster Under Construction.”
