Drake's heart-felt introduction made RiRi's Video Vanguard Award even more |specia

Years after her hard-work in music, pop culture, fashion, film and philanthropy, MTV has honored Rihanna with their most prestigious award at the 2016 Video Music Awards- the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

Drake got the chance to take the stage and handover the prestigious award to the 28-year-old pop-star, reports E! Online.

In his introduction, Drake went down his memory lane and recalled the year 2005, when he was working as an extra on her 'Pon de Replay' music video.

Further commending her fashion sense, the pop-star said, "We love the music, which can change styles from album to album."

"We love the videos which change their artistic vision from year to year. But most of all, we love the woman who hasn't changed from day one," he continued.

Making the audience go aww, Drake finally said, "She's someone I've been in love with since I was 22-years-old. She's one of my best friends in the world. All my adult life, I've looked up to her, even though she's younger than me."

"She's a living, breathing legend in our industry. Ladies and gentleman, the recipient of the 2016 Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, Rihanna!" he said as the crowd roared.

Rihanna, who couldn't hold back her ear-to-ear smile, then took the microphone to thank MTV and her fans, "This is such an amazing night. It's such an amazing moment in my career. When I think about the Vanguard Award and receiving this tonight, all I could think of was my country. They're going to be so proud This is the first Vanguard to land anywhere close to my country."

"My success, it started as my dream. But now my success is not my own. It's my family's. It's my fans'. It's my country's. It's the Caribbean as a whole. It's women, it's black women. So many people feel like their little piece is such a major part of this puzzle. And I have to thank you guys for supporting me over and over!" she added.