NICKI MINAJ TO RETURN AS HOST OF VMAs

The MTV VMAs are slated for Tuesday (9/12), and the lineup is stacked. Nicki Minaj, up for six nominations, is one of the latest additions; she will return as host and perform her new single, “Last Time I Saw You.”

Minaj will also join Lil Wayne, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Doug E. Fresh, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five and LL COOL J for a tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, which will close out the show.

The lineup also includes Shakira—who will be honored with the Video Vanguard Award—Demi Lovato, KAROL G, Måneskin, Stray Kids, Doja Cat, Anitta, Kelsea Ballerini, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, Olivia Rodrigo, Fall Out Boy, Peso Pluma & Metro Boomin featuring Future, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Swae Lee and NAV.

Cardi and Megan will unveil the debut performance of their latest single, “Bongos.” Rodrigo’s appearance comes on the heels of the arrival of her new album, GUTS. She also performed at the 2021 VMAs, where she took home Best New Artist, Push Artist and Song of the Year. Peso Pluma, nominated in three categories, will compete for his first VMA and make his debut performance, as will Metro Boomin, who's doing “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” with Future and “Calling” with A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Swae Lee and NAV. Diddy, set to receive the Global Icon Award, will also take the stage.

Leading the noms this year is Taylor Swift with 11, followed by SZA with eight. BLACKPINK, Doja Cat, Miley Cyrus, Minaj and Rodrigo grab six each, while Kim Petras and Sam Smith pick up five and Beyoncé, Diddy, Drake, Ice Spice, KAROL G, Metro Boomin, Shakira and TOMORROW X TOGETHER score four.

Following last year’s surprise Midnights announcement, could another major Tay proclamation be in store? Stay tuned.

The MTV VMAs will air at 9pm ET on Paramount+ and MTV's various channels and platforms.