A History of Nicki Minaj at the VMAs

01of 09

2010

Kevin Mazur/Wireimage

02of 092011Steve Granitz/WireImageWas she predicting the future? A nominee three times over that night, Minaj complemented her cool dress with a face mask, and picked up her first VMA: best hip-hop video for “Superbass.”

02of 09

2011

Steve Granitz/WireImage

Was she predicting the future? A nominee three times over that night, Minaj complemented her cool dress with a face mask, and picked up her first VMA: best hip-hop video for “Superbass.”

03of 092012Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagicMinaj was nominated for two awards in 2012 — she won best female video for “Starships” — and hit the stage for the first time, joining Alicia Keys on “Girl on Fire.”

03of 09

2012

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Minaj was nominated for two awards in 2012 — she won best female video for “Starships” — and hit the stage for the first time, joining Alicia Keys on “Girl on Fire.”

04of 09

2014

Though she wasn’t up for awards that year, Minaj gave two memorable performances: a sexy rendition of her smash “Anaconda” and a high-energy “Bang Bang” with collaboratorsAriana Grandeand Jessie J.

05of 09

2015

The year 2015 was a big one for the rapper: she opened the show with a performance of “Trini Dem Girls,” bringingTaylor Swiftout for a duet of “Bad Blood” and “The Night Is Still Young” after the two had sparred on Twitter when Swift scored a video of the year nom and “Anaconda” did not. (“Anaconda” did win best hip-hop video, and Minaj was also nominated for best female video and best collaboration that night.)

06of 092016Kevin Mazur/WireImageMinaj and Grande reunited again in 2016, this time for a super-sexy performance of their NSFW bop “Side to Side.”

06of 09

2016

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Minaj and Grande reunited again in 2016, this time for a super-sexy performance of their NSFW bop “Side to Side.”

07of 092017Frazer Harrison/GettyAnother year, another collab! A pretty in pink Minaj, up for the best choreography award that night, walked the carpet before taking the stage withKaty Perryfor “Swish Swish.”

07of 09

2017

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Another year, another collab! A pretty in pink Minaj, up for the best choreography award that night, walked the carpet before taking the stage withKaty Perryfor “Swish Swish.”

08of 092018ANGELA WEISS/AFP/GettyIn 2018, Minaj picked up her fourth moonperson, best hip-hop video for “Chun-Li.” She skipped the show in 2019 (though won best power anthem for “Hot Girl Summer” with Megan Thee Stallion & Ty Dolla Sign) and didn’t appear at the mostly virtual 2020 awards, despite her two nominations.

08of 09

2018

ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty

In 2018, Minaj picked up her fourth moonperson, best hip-hop video for “Chun-Li.” She skipped the show in 2019 (though won best power anthem for “Hot Girl Summer” with Megan Thee Stallion & Ty Dolla Sign) and didn’t appear at the mostly virtual 2020 awards, despite her two nominations.

09of 09

2022

Nicki Minaj.Arturo Holmes/Getty

source: people.com