VMAs 2015: Kanye West to Receive Video Vanguard Award, Follows Beyonce, Justin Timberlake

MTV announced that West will be this year's Video Vanguard recipient just five days before the show is set to air in a series of Instagram posts. The award celebrates artists who have revolutionized the art of the music video, EW reports, and has gone to the likes of Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, U2 and more throughout the years.

"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," MTV said in a statement about its decision to give the award, which has been renamed in Michael Jackson's honor, to West.

West, of course, hasn't always had such a fabulous relationship with the VMAs. In 2009, the rapper stormed drunkenly on to the stage to rip the Best Female Video award from Taylor Swift's hands and declare that Beyoncé had the "best video of all time" with "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)." Swift and West have since made up, even becoming friends.

The 2015 MTV VMAs will air on Sunday, Aug. 30, with host Miley Cyrus.

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VMAs, 2015 MTV VMAs, Kanye West, Beyonce