Nicki Minaj delivered a career-spanning performance at the MTV VMAs 2022 tonight (August 28), where she is collecting the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
The rapper is also co-hosting the ceremony alongside Jack Harlow and LL Cool J at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.
Minaj blasted through several of her biggest hits from throughout her career, including āSuper Bassā, āBees In The Trapā, āAnacondaā, āMoment 4 Lifeā, and her verse from Kanye Westās āMonsterā.
The rapper also featured her new single āSuper Freaky Girlā in the performance, for which she was joined by male and female dancers to help deliver a raunchy choreography from a neon-lit stage complete with poles and podiums. Watch footage of the performance below now.
Nicki Minaj performs āSuper Freaky Girlā for the first time at the 2022 MTV #VMAs
pic.twitter.com/5ceBFwHrTp— Rap Alert (@rapalert6) August 29, 2022
Nicki Minaj performing Chun-Li at the #vmas pic.twitter.com/EaDfWPoVhj
— ŁŁ (@SuperFreakyGirI) August 29, 2022
Nicki Minaj performs her iconic Monster verse at the VMAs pic.twitter.com/Rtbs1ajB1O
— Female Rap Music
(@rapgirliess) August 29, 2022
As she picked up the Video Vanguard award, Minaj thanked artists who have inspired her and given her opportunities over the years. āI wish that Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson were here,ā she also said.
“I wish that people understood what they meant and what they were going through. I wish people took mental health seriously, even for the people you think have perfect lives. I wish Pop Smoke, Nipsey Hussle and Juice WRLD were still here.ā
Harlow, Lil Nas X and Kendrick Lamar led the nominations going into the night, with seven each. Doja Cat and Harry Styles follow behind on six nods, while Taylor Swift is in the running for five awards. Keep up with all of the winners as they happen here.
More performances at the MTV VMAs 2022 will come from MĆ„neskin,Ā Panic! At The Disco, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more. Eminem and Snoop Dogg will also give a special performance tonight, as the pair team up for a āmetaverse-inspiredā version of their recent collab, āFrom The D To The LBCā.
Harlow kicked off the night with a special performance of ‘First Class’ with Fergie, while Lizzo brought her new single ‘2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)’ to the VMAs stage. BLACKPINK also made their debut appearance at the VMAs with ‘Pink Venom’.
Meanwhile, Minaj became the first solo female rapper to have a single debut at Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 since 1998 last week with āSuper Freaky Girlā. The track is also her first US Number One as a lead artist.
The post Nicki Minaj delivers career-spanning performance at MTV VMAs 2022 appeared first on NME.
