Nicki Minaj thanked many of her rap peers and predecessors at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, but one name was noticeably missing from her acceptance speech.
The Young Money superstar was honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at this year’s VMAs, which were held at New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Sunday night (August 28).
While accepting the prestigious award, which recognizes “outstanding contributions” and “profound impact” on music video and popular culture, Nicki showed her gratitude to those who’ve influenced her artistry and helped propel her career.
“I want to take a second to just say thank you to all the key people that inspired me, who I think inspired my flow: Lil Wayne, Foxy Brown, Lauryn Hill, JAY-Z, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh,” she said. “People who gave me huge opportunities that I’ll never forget: Kanye West, Beyoncé, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Eminem, Britney Spears, Rihanna.”
She added: “Of course, you guys, I have to thank Drizzy for always saying the things that I need to hear to get me back in the game. My whole Young Money family — Baby, Slim, Mack.”
However, fellow female rap pioneer and Video Vanguard Award winner Missy Elliott was curiously absent from the list — and the answer may lie in a recent tweet that riled up Nicki Minaj’s fervent fanbase, the Barbz.
Earlier in August, Nicki thanked Missy Elliott for paving the way for her success after she congratulated her on the news that she would be receiving this year’s Vanguard Award. “Mumbling & cackling??? nah omg thank you Missy,” she tweeted. “You kicked down this [door]. Nothing but Love & Respect for your iconic artistry.”
Weeks later, though, Missy came under fire after she asked her Twitter followers if there’s a difference between a “hit” and a “classic record,” which the Barbz perceived as a swipe at Nicki, who made Billboard chart history with her new single “Super Freaky Girl” just days prior.
After her question was taken out of context, the Supa Dupa Fly rapper clarified her original tweet and responded to the hateful responses.
“I love so many of yall answers,” she wrote. “This was a back & forth with my producer friends over music.Is there a difference between Classics & hits & he said it’s more preference. So y’all helped. A few chose 2 be hurtful but understand this came from a positive place.”
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While Nicki didn’t address the spat during her VMAs acceptance speech, she did reserve special thanks for the Barbz. “The Barbz. Baaaarbz!” she said toward the end of her speech. “Thank you, thank you so much. You guys are my babies.”
Lil Kim — another female rap icon who’s had a turbulent relationship with Nicki over the years despite serving as a major influence — also failed to get a mention. The omissions didn’t go unnoticed by those watching at home.
“NOT ONE MOMENT DID SHE MENTION THE REAL QUEEN OF HIP HOP AND HER BLUEPRINT THAT SHE STOLE FROM, but are we shocked?????? WHERE IS LIL KIM,” one fan tweeted.
Another wrote in response: “She only sees herself as a ‘Queen’. I’m sure she didn’t even mention Missy Elliot, being that she constantly try’s copying her formula by rapping over old school hiphop dance music.”
As is customary for Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award recipients, Nicki Minaj took over the MTV VMAs stage to deliver a career-spanning medley of some of her greatest hits.
The 10-minute spectacle saw the Queen rapper run through fan-favorites such as “Super Bass,” “Moment 4 Life” and “Monster” in front of an illuminated pink pyramid design.
The set closed out with a seductive rendition of her Rick James-sampling hit “Super Freaky Girl,” during which Nicki danced on a stripper pole surrounded by shirtless male dancers.
Nicki Minaj, who co-hosted the VMAs alongside LL COOL J and Jack Harlow, also took home the Best Hip Hop Video award for her “Do We Have a Problem?” collaboration with Lil Baby. Harlow was the night’s biggest winner, though, walking away with four “Moonman” trophies.
Check out the full list of 2022 MTV VMAs winners here.
This is trying to start invisible, speculative beef. No names were actually mentioned by either.
From Missy, no. But it looks like Nicki and her fanbase of mouth breathers, who think if they white knight for her they’ll get a piece, think it was a subliminal from Missy. Even this site reported on the Tweet as if it was a blatant shot at Nicki. The whole thing is ridiculous. She needs to disappear and take care of her crackbaby she had with her pedo husband.
What an absolute C U Next Tuesday. Missy asks a simple question and Nikki and her stupid mouth breathing fans take offence. Maybe take offence to your sex offender brother and sex offender baby daddy. The woman and her fans are hot garbage.
Get my potato chips hoe
You still wack.
Now you guys are finding beef, not in who’s name came out of someone’s mouth but rather because Nicki never mentioned someone’s name. She didn’t name Heather B, Roxanne Shante, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, Nas, Big Daddy Kane, so she must be beefing with them too. She didn’t say Nore, I wonder how he will respond. Is she going to be blackballed from Drink Champs????? OMG, the nerve!!! Stop the generating beefing.
Nicki is nothing but a product. A hoe to be exact. Her exterior is fake, her personality is made up, she doesn’t offer intellect or discusses/raps on topics which really matter to her (young) fans. There’s almost literally nothing real about her. I don’t know why people would support someone like this. She couldn’t tie Missy Elliott’s shoes ffs.
Tits or GTFO.
If people didnt have mental illness Nikki would have no fans. So hey she winning off lack of common sense.
Those contacts are not it smh
This is why Nicki will forever be corny. Child molester supporter.
What a petty thing. Missy was asking an innocent question. People read into it and get stupid. I put Missy above nicki 7 days a week. Nicki’s fans are retarded and just immature.