01of 09

2010

Kevin Mazur/Wireimage

will.i.am and Nicki Minaj arrives at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

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

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 28: Singer Nicki Minaj arrives at the The 28th Annual MTV Video Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on August 28, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by 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

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Rapper Nicki Minaj performs onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by 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

INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 24: Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj perform onstage during the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 24, 2014 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/MTV1415/WireImage)

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

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 30: Recording artists Taylor Swift (L) and Nicki Minaj perform onstage during the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/MTV1415/Getty Images For MTV)

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

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 28: Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj perform onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden on August 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by 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

INGLEWOOD, CA - AUGUST 27: Nicki Minaj attends the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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

US/Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj holds her award for best hip-hop video in the press room at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on August 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

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

Nicki Minaj performs onstage at the 2022 MTV VMAs at Prudential Center on August 28, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey.

source: people.com