Nicki Minaj sizzles in red bodysuit for hip-hop tribute at VMAs 2023
Barbie is here to stay, in case you were still unsure. Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne graced the stage together during a spectacular performance at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, marking 50 years of hip-hop. The duo joined forces with DMC, Doug E. Fresh, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, and LL Cool J to deliver a medley of rap hits at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. As the host of the night, Minaj looked absolutely stunning in a red bodysuit while delivering electrifying renditions of “Itty Bitty Piggy” and “Red Ruby Da Sleeze.” She then surprised the audience by bringing out Wayne to perform his iconic track, “A Milli.”
Prior to this momentous collaboration, the “Super Bass” rapper had already dazzled the stage with a solo performance of “Last Time I Saw You” and an unreleased song from her highly anticipated album, “Pink Friday 2.” Sharing the spotlight with Lil Wayne and other rap legends was truly a remarkable experience for Minaj.
Taking a moment to address her loyal fans, Minaj expressed her heartfelt gratitude while accepting the Best Hip-Hop Video award for “Super Freaky Girl.” This marked her fifth win in this category, making her the most decorated artist in the history of the award show. Alongside DMC, LL Cool J, and other esteemed artists, the Young Money collaborators joined forces to celebrate the 50-year legacy of hip-hop.
Minaj continued to captivate the crowd by posing a question, “Should I be mean right now or should I be nice?” And with a resounding declaration, she proclaimed, “It’s Barbie, biiiitch!” The rapper was nominated for an impressive six awards this year, including Video of the Year for “Super Freaky Girl,” Artist of the Year, and Song of Summer for her collaboration with Ice Spice on “Barbie World.”
Last year, Minaj co-hosted the VMAs alongside Jack Harlow and LL Cool J, showcasing her versatility as an entertainer. She delivered an unforgettable medley performance of her greatest hits, including “Anaconda,” “Super Bass,” “Roman’s Revenge,” “Moment 4 Life,” and “Beez in the Trap,” before receiving the prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. During her acceptance speech, Minaj paid tribute to music legends Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness.
As the 2023 VMAs unfolded, Minaj also took a moment to honor fallen rappers such as Pop Smoke, Nipsey Hussle, and Juice WRLD. She also reflected on her personal losses, including the tragic death of her father, Robert Maraj, who was a victim of a hit-and-run incident in February 2021. Expressing her gratitude, Minaj thanked her devoted fans for their unwavering support throughout her career. She concluded her speech by giving a special shout-out to her 2-year-old son, lovingly nicknamed “Papa Bear,” whom she shares with her husband, Kenneth Petty.
As anticipation builds for her upcoming album, “Pink Friday 2,” set to be released on Nov. 17, Minaj has teased that this project will be a game-changer. She confidently asserts that it will be the best album to grace the music scene in years. Stay tuned for the latest updates on the 2023 VMAs as we provide up-to-the-minute coverage of this iconic event.
It’s Barbie, bitch, if you still in doubt.
Nicki Minaj reunited with Lil Wayne onstage during an epic performance to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards on Tuesday.
The Young Money collaborators joined DMC, Doug E. Fresh, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, LL Cool J to perform a medley of rap songs at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Minaj — the night’s host — looked sensational in a red bodysuit as she performed “Itty Bitty Piggy” and “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” before she brought out Wayne, 40, to perform his hit track “A Milli.”
The “Super Bass” rapper, 40, had previously taken the stage earlier in the night for a solo performance of “Last Time I Saw You” and an unreleased song from her upcoming album “Pink Friday 2.”
“I’m on a whole ‘nother level, these bitches ain’t better than me,” she rapped to the audience.
“You bitches look up to me. You say you look up to her, but really you look up to me!”
“Super Freaky Girl” also nabbed the trophy for Best Hip-Hop Video, which the mom of one previously won four times — more than anyone else in the award show’s history.
She had a heartfelt message for her loyal fans while accepting the award.
“So often I joke around and play around and stuff … but this morning when I woke up I had this really strong sense of gratitude,” she said.
“So I just want to say, I thank you guys, the people who go out and support, the people who never skip a beat on the internet, holding us down. I wanna just thank you guys.”
She then switched gears by asking the crowd, “Should I be mean right now or should I be nice?”
Minaj then yelled, “It’s Barbie, biiiitch!”
She was nominated for a total of six awards this year, including Video of the Year (“Super Freaky Girl”), Artist of the Year and Song of Summer (“Barbie World” with Ice Spice).
Last year, the rapper, whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj, emceed the VMAs alongside Jack Harlow and LL Cool J.
She also took the stage to perform a medley of her hit songs, including “Anaconda,” “Super Bass,” “Roman’s Revenge,” “Moment 4 Life” and “Beez in the Trap,” before accepting the coveted Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
While accepting the prestigious honor alongside some members of her fan base, nicknamed the Barbz, Minaj spoke about the deaths of musical legends Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.
“I wish people understood what they meant and were going through,” she shared at the time. “I wish people took mental health seriously.”
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The hip-hop icon also honored other fallen rappers such as Pop Smoke, Nipsey Hussle and Juice WRLD before talking about her own losses, including the death of her dad, Robert Maraj, who was killed in a hit-and-run in February 2021.
Minaj then thanked her fans for supporting her throughout her career. She concluded her speech by shouting out her 2-year-old son, nicknamed “Papa Bear,” whom she shares with her husband, Kenneth Petty.
The Grammy nominee is currently gearing up to release her fifth studio album, “Pink Friday 2,” which is set to hit streaming platforms on Nov. 17.
Minaj recently teased that the upcoming project is “going to be the best album that’s been released in years.”
