2016 has been a good year for Rihanna and today, she’ll be clearing another space in what we imagine is one thriving trophy cabinet. Last night, it was announced that the pop princess from Barbados would take home the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2016 MTV Music Video Awards, to take place in New York on August 28.
RiRi will join Video Vanguard alumni like David Bowie, Beyoncé, Madonna, The Rolling Stones and MJ himself, as a recipient of the incredibly coveted accolade. The award is also known as the “Lifetime Achievement Award,” and is given to an artist who has made a profound effect on the MTV culture and music industry more generally. It’s hard to believe Rihanna has been dropping saucy tunes (and even saucier videos) for ten years now. It seems like just yesterday she was shaking her hips to Pon de Replay.
Currently on her Anti World Tour, Rihanna tweeted her gratitude for the award earlier today. MTV says that “Rihanna’s unparalleled output of hits have spawned some of today’s most memorable music videos, from ‘Umbrella’ to ‘We Found Love.’
It’s fitting that Rihanna receives the honour. Earlier this year, she surpassed the Prince of Pop himself as the artist with the most No.1 Billboard Hits, making her the third musician in history to do so. Since beginning her career, Rihanna has sold more than 61 million albums, and her YouTube page has raked in over 9.6 million views. She’s also been nominated for four other categories at the MTV VMAs, and is set to perform live at the Madison Square Garden ceremony.
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Text Amy Campbell