Which VMA special award was renamed for Michael Jackson in 1991?

The VMA special award renamed for Michael Jackson in 1991 was the Video Vanguard Award.

The honor was introduced at MTV’s inaugural Video Music Awards in 1984 to recognize major contributions to music videos. Early recipients included the Beatles and director Richard Lester, David Bowie, and Madonna. It was distinct from competitive categories such as Video of the Year because it celebrated a broader career influence.

Jackson had already won the trophy in 1988, and MTV attached his name to the award in 1991 because of his groundbreaking music-video work and cultural influence. The honor has also appeared under related names, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, which can cause confusion. After Jackson’s death, his name was restored to the award in 2011, and it is now generally called the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.