All eyes were on Nicki Minaj at the 2022 MTV VMAs Sunday night (August 28) – and rightfully so.
The ‘Super Freaky Girl’ hitmaker had her work cut out for her, tripling as the show’s host, performer, and recipient of the coveted Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
When not turning heads in designer duds doing the aforementioned, she was busy breaking records – a feat her beloved fans, affectionately called #Barbz, certainly weren’t complaining about as that gave the 39-year-old even more screen time at the Minaj-heavy event.
Details inside.
Although news of her Vanguard honor preceded Sunday night’s ceremony, Minaj entered the 38th annual MTV VMAs nominated for two competitive awards; Best Hip Hop Video and Song of the Summer.
In nabbing the former for her Lil Baby-assisted hit ‘Do We Have a Problem,’ Nicki became the first rapper to win the category four times – breaking a longstanding tie with her Young Money comrade Drake.
That’s not all.
With the additional VMAs to her credit, Minaj brings her total count to 7 – thereby passing Missy Elliott as the most decorated female rapper in VMAs history.
Elliott owns 6 MoonPeople as a performer, including being the show’s first female rapper to receive the Vanguard honor (2019). Before that she picked up Best Special Effects Video (2006), Best Dance Video and Best Hip-Hop Video (2005), and Video of the Year and Best-Hip Hop Video (2002).
It’s worth noting that Missy helped Pink, Mya, Lil Kim, and Christina Aguilera accept two trophies for ‘Lady Marmalade’ at the 2001 VMAs ((Video of the Year and Best Video from a Film). Although featured in the music video, she is the song’s producer and is not credited as a performer.
Among all rappers, only JAY-Z (7), Kendrick Lamar (8), and Eminem (13) have as many or more than Nicki.
Click here to see all the winners from the 2022 VMAs.