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Kanye West ’s “prophetic” talents are finally getting the recognition he feels they deserve.
The self-styled “Yeezus” figure is to be honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the MTV Video Music Awards this weekend.
The rapper and singer will receive the ceremony’s highest honour, known as the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award, which will recognise his “ground-breaking videos, legendary performances and continued impact of music, art, fashion and culture.”
Kanye is no stranger to making an impact at the VMAs, famously interrupting Taylor Swift’s speech for best female video in 2009 after claiming Beyoncé should have won instead.
With Swift having told Vanity Fair earlier this month that she and Kanye West are now friends, could Sunday’s ceremony prove the perfect opportunity for Swift to “do a Kanye” on Kanye?
Some fans hope so:
If Swift were to make a Kanye-inspired cameo appearance during his acceptance speech, she’d be at risk of upstaging the unveiling of her new music video for “Wildest Dreams”.
But with the world willing to see another “Imma Let You Finish” moment, it may be the best publicity for her promo yet.
MTV VMAs: Most controversial momentsShow all 14 1 /14MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments VMAs most controversial moments Madonna, Britney and Christina Aguilera (pictured) enjoy a three-way kiss to a rendition of Madonna's 'Like A Virgin'
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MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments VMAs most controversial moments Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift midway through her acceptance speech to claim Beyonce should have taken home the gong
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MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments VMAs most controversial moments Lady Gaga rocks a meat dress and disappoints animal rights activists across the globe
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MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments VMAs most controversial moments Five years before the famous Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction at the Super Bowl, Lil Kim bared her left breast for the world to see, save for a purple sequinned clam covering her nipple
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MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments VMAs most controversial moments Miley Cyrus proved she was no longer a Disney child star with her 'coming of age' performance at the VMAs
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MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments VMAs most controversial moments After Eminem thrust his middle finger into Moby's face during a press interview at the 2002 VMAs, he then threatened the techno singer on stage saying: 'Keep booing, keep booing little girl. I will hit a man with glasses.'
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MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments VMAs most controversial moments It might seem tame by today’s uninhibited standards, but when Madonna performed in 1984 dressed as a prostitute bride and wearing a flashy buckle reading ‘Boy Toy’ before writhing around the stage, all during “Like A Virgin”, the world was left astounded
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MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments VMAs most controversial moments Russell Brand’s hosting did not go down too well with US viewers. The British comedian angered Republicans by begging the audience to vote for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, before calling George Bush a 'retarded cowboy'
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MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments VMAs most controversial moments Kurt Cobain was none too impressed when MTV bosses demanded that his band sing their biggest hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit” for the show. He wanted to play “Rape Me” instead, but compromised on “Lithium”. Only to pick up his guitar and sing the first few lines of “Rape Me” as the big dogs could only look on horrified
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MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments VMAs most controversial moments If you need a definition of ‘shambolic’, this is it. Britney’s long-awaited comeback in 2007 was met with widespread cringes as she stumbled through a lacklustre, lip-synched performance of "Gimme More" with a lifeless expression on her face. Not the Britney we know and love
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MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments VMAs most controversial moments When Lady Gaga faked her own death, speechless VMA attendees could do nothing but stare open-mouthed. The serial shocker took to the stage in fishnets, white heeled boots and not a lot else besides, before she begun ‘bleeding’ and finally pretended to hang herself
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MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments VMAs most controversial moments In a bizarre TV moment, Courtney Love interrupted an interview with Madonna by yelling and throwing things at the pop star from the audience
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MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments VMAs most controversial moments The Queen of Pop dropped a bombshell during her 2011 performance of “Love On Top”. Beyoncé surprised everyone by tearing open her glitzy jacket to show off a small baby bump. “I want you to feel the love that’s growing inside me,” were her memorable opening words
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MTV VMAs: Most controversial moments VMAs most controversial moments Britney’s raunchy rendition of “I’m a Slave 4 U” involved a massive python wrapped around her neck, caged tigers and scantily-clad backing dancers. Animal rights group Peta was furious; viewers mainly enthralled
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