Dancehall icon Beenie Man and newcomer Skeng were given a quick yet heartfelt shout-out by Trinidad-born rapper Nicki Minaj at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards after she received the Video Vanguard Award.
In her acceptance speech, Minaj first thanked people who were key inspirations to her signature sound and flow. She sang praises to names such as Lil Wayne, Foxy Brown, Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill and Doug E Fresh.
She also gave credit to all the people who provided her with major opportunities including Kanye West, Beyonce and Barbadian singer Rihanna—a name that she melodized and used as a segue into shouting out all Caribbean people.
Beenie Man, however, was given a special shout-out for his contribution to her career. “…Beenie Man thank you for everything…” Minaj said.
The King, himself, responded quickly after the speech with a short message on Twitter. “Big up Nicki ❤️ Queeen,” he wrote.
The two collaborated on Gun Shot, which was released in 2012 on Minaj’s second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. The song was produced by Kane Beatz.
She also gave Dancehall newcomer Skeng a wholesome ‘wah gwaan’, an acknowledgment that comes right after their collab, Likkle Miss (Remix), which was released yesterday on the rapper’s greatest hits compilation, Queen Radio: Volume 1.
She took to Instagram, after the Awards, to show Skeng some more love, while dancing to their collab, which is currently No. 2 on the Hip Hop US iTunes chart.
“Nicki this, Nicki dat. Nicki MAD DEM,” she wrote in the caption. “Ayo Skeng. True seh mi peng. Ratty gang gang gang g gang gang. 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🎀”
Nicki ended her Vanguard speech by shouting out her fans, the Barbz. “You guys are my babies,” she said, before sending kisses to her actual baby, Papa Bear. “Mommy loves you so so so so so much,” the Megatron rapper said.
She later won the Award for “Best Hip-Hop” Video for her song Do We Have a Problem? which featured rapper Lil Baby.
The Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, or Video Vanguard Award is one of the highest achievements at the MTV VMAs and is given to persons who have made outstanding contributions and immense impact on the music industry.
The late Micheal Jackson won the award in 1988 and megastars such as the Beatles, David Bowie, Missy Elliott, Madonna, Beyonce and Rihanna have all received the Golden Moon Man for their contributions to music.
Watch Minaj’s acceptance speech below.