Twelve years after attending the MTV VMAs as a Best New Artist nominee, Nicki Minaj returned to the show on Sunday as the recipient of this year’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
Lest you forget what it took to earn this honor, Minaj also brought some of her career’s biggest hits to the Prudential Center stage to remind you.
Minaj joins an illustrious group of Video Vanguard winners, which already includes Missy Elliott (2019), Jennifer Lopez (2018), Pink (2017), Rihanna (2016), Beyoncé (2014) and Britney Spears (2011).
“Nicki broke down barriers for women in hip-hop with her versatility and creative flair,” said Bruce Gillmer, president of music, musical talent, programming and events at Paramount and director of the music content at Paramount+, in a statement when Minaj was first announced as this year’s Video Vanguard winner. “She changed the music industry and cemented her status as a global superstar with her crossover appeal, genre-defying style and continues to be unapologetically ‘Nicki’.”
In addition to receiving this year’s Video Vanguard trophy, Minaj also took part in Sunday’s ceremony with a nomination for Best Hip-Hop Video for “Do We Have a Problem?” which she shared with Lil Baby. Minaj has already won five VMAs for her work on jams like “Super Bass,” “Starships,” and “Anaconda.” She also received a handful of nominations, including Best New Artist in 2010, which she lost to Justin Bieber. (2010, what a year!)
Anitta, Bad Bunny, Blackpink, Eminem, J Balvin, Jack Harlow, Kane Brown, Khalid, Lizzo, Måneskin, Marshmello, Panic! at Disco, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snoop Dogg.
Minaj co-hosted this year’s VMAs alongside LL Cool J and Jack Harlow. Press PLAY on the video above to watch his Video Vanguard performance, then rate it and drop a comment with your full review below.