Grandmaster Flash, Doug E. Fresh, and DMC will also join the performance honoring 50 years of hip-hop.
LL Cool J, Grandmaster Flash plus more to appear in VMAs Finale — a 50th Anniversary Celebration to Hip-Hop
MTVVideo Music Awards to honor Hip-Hop 50 this week.
On Monday (September 11), Rolling Stone announces 2023 MTV Video Music Awards will close with a salute to hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Doug E. Fresh, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and LL Cool J will join previously announced performers Lil Wayne and show emcee Nicki Minaj for the segment. The VMAs are set to air live from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m. ET/PT
Additionally, Lil Wayne will perform his new single, “Kat Food.” This will be his first VMAs appearance in more than a decade. Nicki Minaj will be inescapable throughout the show as she serves as both MC and a performer, with her latest single, “Last Time I Saw You.” Last year, she dominated the event as emcee, performer, winner of best hip hop, plus recipient of the coveted Video Vanguard Award.
On Sunday (Sept. 10), Nicki Minaj hopped on X, formerly known as Twitter, and jokingly asked: “Why would the @vmas let me host this show??? [tears of joy emoji] knowing I’m… different… [upside down face emoji] [face winking eye emoji] #Vmas see ya on the 12th NEW YAWWWK.”
Also Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion will give the debut performance of their just-released single “Bongos” during the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.
This will be the first performance on the VMAs’ main show for both artists. Both made their VMAs’ performance debut on the pre-show – Cardi in 2017 performing “Bodak Yellow”; Megan two years later performing “Big Ole Freak,” “Hot Girl Summer” and “Cash Sh–.”
The show will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this year.