NICKI MINAJ TAKES HOME VIDEO VANGUARD AWARD AT 2022 MTV VMAS
Last night, Nick Minaj was presented with the Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Music Video Award Show. After she gave a showstopping performance that included some of her biggest hits such as “Anaconda,” “Super Freaky Girl,” “Moment 4 Life,” and more, she paid tribute to artists who have inspired her, The Barbz, and musical icons who transitioned.
“I wrote this down, I don’t know why, but this was in my spirit to say: I wish that Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson were here,” Minaj began. “I wish that people understood what they meant and what they were going through. … I wish Pop Smoke and Juice Wrld and Nipsey Hussle were here. R.I.P. Daddy, my cousin Richard, and my business manager Angela, who I never got to say ‘rest in peace’ to publicly.”
She also talked about mental health, saying, “I wish that people took mental health seriously — even for the people that you think have the perfect lives.”
She continued by thanking the largest fanbase on the internet.
“The Barbz, Barbz!!!” Minaj yelled. “Thank you so much. You guys are my babies.”
Additionally, she thanked Jay-Z, Foxy Brown, and Lil Wayne, among other legendary MCs who influenced her artistic flow. Minaj then praised Eminem, Beyonce, Kanye West, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey — who featured Minaj on the remix of her single “Up Out My Face,” Madonna, and more for allowing her to work aside them throughout her career. Lastly, she couldn’t leave out those who were with her during humble beginnings including hit star Drake for “saying the things that she needed to hear” to stay focused.
Along with receiving one of the night’s biggest honors, she emceed the awards ceremony alongside Jack Harlow and LL Cool J. The big night follows Minaj’s first solo Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 song, “Super Freaky Girl.”
