Red Hot Chili Peppers have walked away from this year’s MTV VMAs with the Global Icon Award - how good.
The honourable prize “recognizes artists who have left an indelible, endearing mark on the world and are just as impactful as ever” and was presented to the band by comedy-duo Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong.
Frontman Anthony Kiedis started the acceptance speech by thanking Cheech and Chong, calling them “some bad mother flip-flops.”
“I did want to thank the sassy mistress known as MTV for supporting us for 1,000 years and more," the singer said.
"But really, really, really I want to thank Flea and John and Chad Smith... for giving me a purpose in my life for the last 40 years. I would've been a free-floating disaster in space if not for these boys, so thank you boys for giving me something to do with my life and love.”
Chad Smith then took the mic, and dedicated the award to the late, great Taylor Hawkins.
"There's another musical global icon and his name is Taylor Hawkins," he said.
"I want to dedicate this to Taylor and his family. I love them and I miss him every day, and fly on, Hawk. Fly on, brother."
The band also took out Best Rock Video for ‘Black Summer.’
The Chilis beat past winners Foo Fighters, who were up this year for their ‘Love Never Dies’ music video, as well as past nominee Jack White who was up for his ‘Taking Me Back’ music video. The category also included Muse’s ‘Won’t Stand Down,’ Shinedown’s ‘Planet Zero,’ and Three Days Grace’s ‘So Called Life’ music videos.
‘Black Summer’ got the most votes from fans, meaning their music video, which sees the band performing in front of various sunsets and landscapes, took out the award. The song was the first release from their latest album Unlimited Love.
Plus, they performed the track at the awards, as well as their 2002 classic ‘Can’t Stop.’ Check out that performance below.
