The VMAs' Most Surprising Best New Artist Snubs

Winner: Michael Penn (1990)
In 1990, Lenny Kravitz was overlooked in favor of singer-songwriter Michael Penn (the future husband of Aimee Mann, and the brother of actor Sean Penn) and his video for "No Myth." Although praised by critics for his work, Penn was unable to replicate the success of his debut. (AP Photo)

The MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist has been around since the first annual VMAs in 1984. However, despite years of practice, voters still frequently go a little crazy and allow a one-hit wonder to sneak away with the trophy that could (and probably should) have been won by the likes of Whitney Houston, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift. Hindsight is 20/20, right? But don't worry about these "losers"; they went on to much greater things.