Nicki Minaj to Open Billboard Music Awards
The Billboard Music Awards are kicking off with a bang. Nicki Minaj is set to open Sunday’s star-studded show with a medley of hits and some special guests.
According to USA Today, the Young Money star will be joined onstage by Lil Wayne, David Guetta, and Jason Derulo as part of her opening number.
Given the guests, it’s likely that Nicki will perform “Swalla” with Derulo and “Light My Body Up” with Guetta and Weezy. Minaj is also expected to perform solo material as part of the set.
.@NICKIMINAJ is opening the #BBMAs. 🔥 She's bringing @davidguetta, @jasonderulo & @LilTunechi with her! Sunday at 8e/5p on ABC. #MinajMedley pic.twitter.com/V75IWCIi7Z
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) May 18, 2017
Drake is also slated to perform during the show, though he wasn’t announced as part of Nicki’s guest list. If he does join the set, Minaj, Weezy, and Drizzy could perform their latest collaboration, “No Frauds.”
Executive producer Mark Bracco said this was particularly momentous given Nicki’s record-breaking year on the charts, after she surpassed Aretha Franklin for most Hot 100 hits among female artists.
“She’s opening the show as a way of honoring a great achievement she had on the Billboard charts this year,” said Bracco. “It’s going to be an epic opening.”
It could be a huge night for the rap queen. To go along with the performance, Nicki is also up for the Billboard Chart Achievement Award. Her competitors in that category are Luke Bryan, The Chainsmokers, The Weeknd, and Twenty One Pilots.
Rehearsals for the show are now taking place in Las Vegas, where the BBMAs will be held. Hosted by Ludacris and Vanessa Hudgens, this year’s three-hour show will air live on Sunday (May 21), featuring performances by Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, and Florida Georgia Line with John Legend.