Quick-change Minaj takes the rap reins at all-star awards
NICKI MINAJ takes centre stage at an awards ceremony in Los Angeles with a series of costume changes — and by rapping on top of a glittery pink horse.
The singer was performing at the annual BET Awards, which celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, film and sport. Actor and singer Jamie Foxx hosted the ceremony. At one point he treated the audience to an impromptu jam session with fellow actor Donald Glover, who also raps under the stage name of Childish Gambino.
Glover was beaten to the best actor prize by Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman. The Marvel film also scooped best movie. During his acceptance speech, director Ryan Coogler urged audiences to visit Africa, saying his journey there “changed my life”. He said: “The film is about our experience of being African Americans and trying to capture the experience of being African on this planet... with so many factors telling you it’s something you should be ashamed of. It was about tapping into that voice that tells us to be proud of who we are and proud of where we came from.”
There were performances from Meek Mill and Janelle Monáe, who changed from a rainbow dress on the red carpet to a monochrome stage costume. Mill wore a hoodie featuring the face of XXXTentacion, the 20-year-old rapper who died in a shooting last week. Foxx said: “We can’t get used to these types of things. We’re too used to young people getting killed.”
Guests included Blac Chyna and
Amber Rose.