Which act was the first recipient of the MTV VMA Global Icon Award?

Foo Fighters were the first recipients of the MTV VMA Global Icon Award.

The band received the inaugural honor at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, held at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on September 12, 2021. MTV introduced the award to recognize an artist or band whose career, influence and worldwide success had made an enduring cultural impact. Foo Fighters were honored for a career that had already spanned more than two decades.

The ceremony paired the award with a performance by the band, including “Learn to Fly,” “Shame Shame” and “Everlong.” Billie Eilish introduced Foo Fighters and presented the trophy. The recognition was distinct from the Video Vanguard Award, another major VMA honor that primarily celebrates contributions to music video culture.

The Global Icon title can be confused with the similarly named MTV Europe Music Award for Global Icon. That EMA honor has its own history and recipients; the question refers specifically to the award created for the U.S. MTV Video Music Awards. Red Hot Chili Peppers followed Foo Fighters as recipients in 2022.