Since the 1980s, global superstars like Madonna, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, David Bowie, and more have received the highly coveted Vanguard Award during MTV’s Video Music Awards.
This year, renowned superstar Nicki Minaj will be added to the list of esteemed recipients of this award.
MTV announced that the 17x nominated and 5x VMAs winner, will receive MTV’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and perform live for the first time since 2018 at this year’s ceremony.
“Nicki has broken barriers for women in hip-hop with her versatility and creative artistry,” said Bruce Gillmer, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events, Paramount and Chief Content Officer, Music, Paramount+. “She has shifted the music industry and cemented her status as a global superstar with her crossover appeal, genre-defying style and continuing to be unapologetically ‘Nicki’.”
In 2012, the rapper made her main stage debut at the VMAs, delivering a surprise verse on Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire.” I
In 2014, she returned to give three performances, first in “Anaconda,” then teaming up with Ariana Grande and Jessie J for “Bang Bang,” and then “She Came To Give It To U” with Usher.
In 2015, Minaj again performed a trio of songs, first “Trini Dem Girls,” before bringing Taylor Swift on stage for “The Night Is Still Young” and “Bad Blood.” She reunited with Ariana Grande in 2016 for “Side To Side,” and in 2017, joined host Katy Perry for a performance of “Swish Swish.”
Minaj’s most recent VMAs appearance included a rap medley from her album Queen, featuring songs “Majesty,” “Ganga Burn,” “FEFE” and “Barbie Dreams” at the 2018 show.
