Along with serving because the emcee for the 2023 VMAs, Nicki Minaj carried out throughout the awards present, even treating followers to a preview of a brand new tune on the finish of her solo efficiency of “Final Time I Noticed You.”
Minaj initially took the stage on the high of Tuesday evening’s 2023 MTV Video Music Awards sporting a lightweight pink bridal ensemble, veil and all, the place she urged the viewers to applaud and cheer for the performers who kicked off the present, Lil Wayne and Olivia Rodrigo.
She then admitted that she realized she didn’t buckle her sneakers: “1, 2, buckle my mom f—ing sneakers,” she stated.
After that bleeped curse she recalled how there had been some concern about her internet hosting the present, with executives worrying about her saying one thing inappropriate, however she reassured viewers she may management herself.
And management herself she did throughout her solo efficiency later that evening of “Final Time I Noticed You.”
Her dwell rendition featured Minaj standing behind a microphone, framed in pink gentle, in a black puffy ensemble, together with her hair slicked again, that she pulled off to disclose a black bikini over a sheer gown.
After “Final Time,” Minaj segued right into a tease of a extra uptempo new tune, with lights flashing round her.
Minaj was launched by Billy Porter, who referred to as the veteran performer a “hip-hop icon” and referred to her “Barbz” followers, utilizing that to reference the Barbie film, for which Minaj joined forces with Ice Spice and Aqua for “Barbie World,” which performs over the closing credit.
Minaj, who went into Tuesday evening’s present nominated for six VMAs, successful the award for greatest hip-hop for “Tremendous Freaky Woman,” additionally joined Lil Wayne, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Doug E. Contemporary, Grandmaster Flash and the Livid 5 and LL Cool J for a tribute efficiency to hip-hop’s fiftieth anniversary on the finish of the present.
Minaj carried out “Itty Bitty Piggy” and “Crimson Ruby Da Sleeze” solo and returned to the stage for the “Stroll This Means” finale, with DMC placing his arm round her.
She additionally offered the award for greatest route to Taylor Swift.
On the finish of the present, Minaj urged the viewers to applaud for themselves and stated she “had a blast.”
“I’ll see you guys quickly,” she stated.
Minaj is about to launch her Pink Friday 2 album in November.
