Nicki Minaj Impersonates Whitney Houston – Nate Dogg line During Vanguard Award Speech
Captioning history, Nicki Minaj impersonates Whitney Houston during her Vanguard Award acceptance speech at the 2022 VMA’s.
The classic line originates from Snoop Dogg’s song Lay Low, which features Nate Dogg, Eastsidas, Master P, and Butch Cassidy. But Whitney Houston iconically used the line during the BET Awards in 2001.
The 39-year-old thanked many of the people that have influenced her career and mentioned the likes of Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. Minaj also called for more mental health awareness during her acceptance speech.
“I wrote this down, I don’t know why y’all but this is what this was in my spirit to say, I wish that Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson were here,” Minaj said at the Prudential Center. “I wish that people understood what they meant and what they were going through. I wish people took mental health seriously even for the people who you think have the perfect lives. I wish Pop Smoke and Juice WRLD and Nipsey Hussle were here”
During a 2012 interview, Nicki Minaj stated that she was in LA when she found out about Whitney Houston’s death. She stated, Clive Davis asked her to do the party. But she declined because she was set to perform during the Grammy’s.
Nicki stated she had a special bond with Whitney Houston’s first album. When she came from Trinidad, she spent time with her aunt and sing to the album. The mother of Papa Bear and wife of Kenneth Petty also mentioned, she wanted to ask Whitney to sing at her wedding one day.
Onika Maraj also thanked other artists that contributed to her career.
She said, “key people” that inspired her including Lil Wayne, Foxy Brown, Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh. She continued mentioning people that gave her “huge opportunities” mentioning Kanye West, Beyoncé, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Eminem, Britney Spears and Rihanna. Minaj also thanked her Young Money family, Drizzy and Drake.
“To all the artists, producers and writers who have contributed to any of my projects, also to all the people who allow me to feature on their work … and I want you to know that I appreciate each and every one of you, I don’t take that for granted. Thank you for giving me a chance to show my skills.”
The rapper also performed many of her hit songs. Including, “Roman’s Revenge,” “Bees in the Trap,” “Chun-Li,” “Moment 4 Life,” “Super Bass” and “Anaconda.”
