Nicki Minaj thanks Beenie Man in Vanguard acceptance speech; bigs up Skeng
Published:Monday | August 29, 2022 | 12:39 AM
Nicki Minaj hailed the Caribbean and the people of Jamaica during her acceptance speech for the Video Vanguard Award at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), giving special mention to Beenie Man and Skeng.
Minaj paid tribute to a long list of people who she said gave her opportunities, influenced and impacted her career and allowed her to feature on their work, including Kanye West, Beyoncé, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Eminem, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Lil Wayne.
She also had warm words for the West Indies. "All my Caribbean people, but Beenie Man, thank you for everything and all of Jamaica," said Minaj. After which she hailed dancehall artiste Skeng, who she recently collaborated with on the remix of his Likkle Miss single. "Skeng, wha a gwaan," said the rapper.
Minaj recently added Likkle Miss to her Queen Radio: Volume 1 great hits compilation, sharing the cover art for the remix on her social media early Sunday morning. Queen Radio: Volume 1 was released on August 26.
The Pills N Potions entertainer also used her speech to speak about the importance of mental health. "I wish people took mental health seriously, even when you think they have the perfect lives," she Minaj.
Earlier, she performed a medley of her career's biggest hits, including Roman's Revenge, Chun-Li, Moment 4 Life, Beez in the Trap, Anaconda and Super Bass.
The Video Vanguard Award is the highest honour at the VMAs. MTV said Minaj was receiving the award for her artistry, barrier-breaking hip-hop and status as a global superstar. The honour is named after Michael Jackson and has been won by Janet Jackson, Madonna, LL Cool J, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Richard Lester and The Beatles and Missy Elliott.
The Video Vanguard Award wasn't the only award Minaj took home on Sunday night. She won Best Hip-Hop for her song Do We Have a Problem? featuring Lil Baby.