Nicki Minaj, dubbed the “Queen of Hip Hop” by MTV, will receive the Video Vanguard Award – the honor ceremony’s equivalent of a lifetime achievement award — at the 2022 Video Music Awards.
Minaj will be honored with former prize winners Janet Jackson, Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, and The Beatles during the ceremony later this month.
“With her flexibility and creative genius, Nicki has shattered boundaries for women in hip-hop,” said Bruce Gillmer, president of talent and music programming at Paramount. “With her worldwide appeal, genre-defying flair, and unashamedly ‘Nicki,’ she has altered the music business and secured her reputation as a global superstar.” The worldwide superstar has been nominated 17 times and has won 5 VMAs.
Minaj, who is up for Best Hip Hop Video this year, will also perform at the program for the first time since 2018. She resorted to social media to express her delight with supporters. “At the 2022 #VMAs, I’ll be receiving the Video Vanguard Award! YOU SAY NO!!!! I SAY AGAIN!!!! You DO NOT want to miss my performance on MTV on Sunday, August 28th at 8 p.m.” Minaj sent a message on Instagram.
mumbling and cackling??? Thank you very much, Missy.
You knocked it down.
Nothing except love and admiration for your legendary artwork #VMAs #NickiVmas #VideoVanguard https://t.co/TB4kUWjiki
August 8, 2022 — Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ)
Fans’ emotions on social media have been flooding in since the news. Missy Elliot, a previous award winner and rap great, tweeted a message of congratulations to Minaj, who replied, “You busted down this door, nothing but Love & Respect for your amazing creativity.”
The announcement came less than a week after a man convicted to one year in prison for his role in the hit-and-run collision that killed Minaj’s father.
Anitta, J Balvin, Marshmello x Khalid, and Panic are also set to perform at this year’s event, which will be broadcast live on MTV on Sunday, August 28 at 8 p.m. ET. The performance will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.