Video Vanguard Award

Nicki Minaj Thanks Jay-Z And Beyoncé For Their Thoughtful Video Vanguard Award Congratulations Gift

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Nicki Minaj is still flying high after receiving MTV’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at Sunday’s VMAs. Yesterday, she posted a gracious “thank you” note addressed to Beyoncé and Jay-Z for the thoughtful gift they sent to congratulate her. Although the power couple did not attend the VMAs in person, they did make sure to acknowledge Nicki’s achievement with a bouquet of white roses, which Nicki captured in a video posted on her Instagram Story. “Congrats on your beautiful award,” the accompanying card read. “Sending you all of our love. Hov and B Holla.”

In turn, Nicki gushed back, “Thank you so much. The both of you. For everything.”

Both of the music stars turned moguls were instrumental in Nicki Minaj’s success. In her Video Vanguard Awards acceptance speech, she named both as inspirations. Jay-Z was among the artists she cited for inspiring her flow along with Doug E. Fresh(!?), Foxy Brown, Lauryn Hill, Lil Wayne, and Slick Rick (Lil Kim was noticeably absent, as fans pointed out on Twitter). Meanwhile, Nicki mentioned Beyoncé as one of the “people who gave me huge opportunities that I’ll never forget,” which also included Britney Spears, Eminem, Kanye West, Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Rihanna.

Those contributions and more have launched Nicki to heights last seen over 20 years ago; her new single, “Super Freaky Girl,” was the first by a solo female rap act to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 since Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in 1998.

Nicki Minaj Will Perform And Be Honored With A Video Vanguard Award At The 2022 VMAs

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As Nicki Minaj slowly gets back into the groove of releasing new music, her decade-plus of classic, game-changing hits will be honored at the 2022 MTV VMAs. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the upcoming show will honor Nicki with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, and she will perform at the show for the first time since 2018. Nicki’s also nominated for a Best Hip-Hop Award thanks to her 2022 singles “Do We Have A Problem?” “Bussin,” and “We Go Up,” as well as her song-stealing feature from Coi Leray’s “Blick Blick.”

Bruce Gillmer, president of music, music talent, programming, and events at Paramount (MTV’s parent company) said in a statement, “Nicki has broken barriers for women in hip-hop with her versatility and creative artistry. 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.’” Mrs. Minaj herself told fans, “You don’t want to miss my performance,” on Twitter, sharing a promo clip containing snippets of a bunch of her previous videos. She also asked her Barbz to suggest songs for her to perform, with one caveat — they couldn’t mention her upcoming single “Super Freaky Girl,” which drops on August 12.

The 2022 MTV VMAs will air on 8/28 live from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey at 8 pm ET. Performers include Anitta, J Balvin, and more, while nominees include Jack Harlow, Kendrick Lamar, and Lil Nas X.