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Nicki Minaj Returns to the Stage at Essence Festival
It was a moment for life as Nicki Minaj returned to the stage at the 2022 Essence Festival.
The rap queen shut down the second night of the festival with an hour-long performance at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Friday night (July 1).
After a 45-minute delay, Barbie kicked off her set with her Lil Baby-assisted single “Do We Have a Problem?” followed by “We Go Up” and “Did It On’em.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADRI9iE78vQ
Rocking a blonde ponytail, she took it back with her biggest hits and fan favorites like “Beez in the Trap,” “Feeling Myself,” “Anaconda,” “Itty Bitty Piggy,” and more.
Nicki also surprised the crowd with Birdman (“#1 Stunna”) and Lil Wayne, who joined his Young Money sister to perform “High School” and their latest collaboration, “Seeing Green.” “He came through for me and saved the day,” Nicki said of Weezy.
Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne unite at @essencefest
I’ve waited a solid decade to witness this. pic.twitter.com/9qBodSF9hP
— Andrés Fuentes (@news_fuentes) July 2, 2022
Lil Wayne saves the day for Nicki Minaj 🙌🏽💯pic.twitter.com/VFOWEUISm4
— Wave Check🌊 (@thewavecheckk) July 2, 2022
But she stopped short of performing one of her most iconic verses. When the DJ started to play Kanye West’s “Monster,” she cut the music. “We don’t f**k with clowns,” said Nicki, possibly hinting at a fallout with Ye.
During her set at the 2022 Essence Festival, Nicki Minaj cut off her infamous “Monster” collaboration with Kanye West stating that she “doesn’t f*ck with clowns.”
What could’ve caused Mrs Petty’s sudden switch on Kanye? Was it his “Hot Shit” collab with Cardi B? 🥴 pic.twitter.com/U5x28Yw7jb
— KenBarbieTM (@itsKenBarbie) July 2, 2022
Before closing out the evening with “Moment 4 Life,” she addressed her tardiness. “Bitches came for my check tonight, but I still came out,” said Nicki, who sparked pregnancy rumors with her appearance. “But I still came out for you. And I will never stop being appreciative of you.”
Nicki Minaj explains why her Essence set was delayed 😭😭 #nickifest #nickiminaj pic.twitter.com/uMk5Fj1gr1
— Dellmar (@dellxmartin) July 2, 2022
Unlike previous sets from Nas and Wyclef Jean with Ms. Lauryn Hill, Nicki’s set was not streamed live on Hulu, much to the dismay of her Barbz, who took to social media to share their frustrations.
me pretending as if i didn’t waste all my time watching essence fest just for nicki minaj’s not to be live streamed: pic.twitter.com/A1J3LMo1gq
— cabria 🌿 (@ca6ria) July 2, 2022
Essence Fest Dead fucking wrong for not showing Nicki Minaj performance
— Call Me Q (@quishawnammir) July 2, 2022