All praises due to Marc Anthony, because it was the salsa singer and actor who gave Kanye West his proper MTV Video Music Awards introduction in 2004, right before Yeezy set off an inspiring medley of hits that including “Jesus Walks,” “All Falls Down” and “Through the Wire.”
It was the performance that started ‘Ye’s VMA legend, which will continue 10 years later on Sunday at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, where his “Black Skinhead” is nominated for Best Hip Hop Video.
Yes, technically West has been impacting the VMAs since the 2001 Award show, when Jay Z performed “Izzo,” a song that Kanye produced, but ever since the G.O.O.D. Music captain graced the stage for the first time in ’04, he’s continued to give fans something to look forward to.
Let’s look back at the legend of Kanye West at the MTV Video Music Awards.
The Introduction
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Just months after releasing his classic debut, The College Dropout, Yeezy blessed the VMAs with three songs off the LP, including a a duet with Chaka Khan.
Yeezus Walks
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Yeezy returned in 2005 and not only performed “Gold Digger” with Jamie Foxx, but took home his first Moonman as well, winning with “Jesus Walks” in the Best Male Video category.
Hype Man
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Yeezy didn’t perform nor did he win a VMA in 2006, but he did present his friend Hype Williams with the Video Vanguard Award that year.
What Happens In Vegas
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When the VMAs moved to Las Vegas in 2007, things ran a little differently and Yeezy got his own performance suite in the Palms where he rocked “Good Life” with T-Pain.
808s In 2008
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In 2008, Yeezy closed the show by debuting his “Love Lockdown” single, giving fans their first taste of his super-influential 808s & Heartbreak.
Show Stopper
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We all know what happened at the 2009 VMAs — no need to dwell.
Toast To The Douche Bags
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After the Taylor Swift controversy of ’09, Yeezy returned triumphantly to the VMAs, debuting his My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy hit “Runaway” with Pusha T, a gang of ballerinas and his MPC 2000 beat machine.
Watch The Throne
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For his eighth consecutive VMA appearance ‘Ye hit the stage with Jay Z to perform “Otis.” Yeezy also won the Best Collaboration award with Katy Perry for “E.T.”
All Hail Yeezus
‘Ye skipped the VMAs for the first time ever in 2012, but returned last year and blessed the Barclays Center with a cinematic rendition of “Blood on the Leaves.” He’s not a performer this year but we hope he’s got a surprise up his sleeve this Sunday.
It’s up to you to decide the winners of the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards! Vote now and tune in Sunday, August 24, at 9/8c ET to see who wins at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Plus, get the latest updates from all your favorite VMA artists on the MTV Artists App.
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