As it often happens, the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards ended up being more about the series of killer performances than about the actual awards given out (though that shouldn’t take away from the big Moonman-related headline of the night, which was Lady Gaga’s eight wins — including Video of the Year). Nicki Minaj got things started early with electric versions of “Your Love” and “Check It Out” during the pre-show, and then Eminem kicked everything up a notch with his show-opening performances of “Not Afraid” and “Love the Way You Lie” (the latter of which featured a goosebump-inspiring guest spot by Rihanna, who initially said that she wasn’t going to be able to make it to the show).

It only got bigger from there. Justin Bieber inspired teenage swooning with his punchy versions of “U Smile” and “Somebody to Love,” Usher rolled out awe-inspiring takes on “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love” and “OMG,” Florence and the Machine transfixed the crowd with the ethereal “Dog Days Are Over,” Taylor Swift premiered a stunning new song, B.o.B tag-teamed with Bruno Mars and Hayley Williams for “Nothin’ on You” and “Airplanes,” then handed the stage over to Paramore for “The Only Exception,” Drake got “Fancy,” Linkin Park took over the Griffith Observatory for a massive, otherwordly take on “The Catalyst” and Kanye West cemented his remarkable comeback with the Pusha T-assisted “Runaway.” Even the in-house music provided by deadmau5 (with drop-ins by Travie McCoy, Jason Derülo and Robyn) was top-shelf.

But who rose above the rest? Which performance will go down in history as an all-time great VMA barn burner? We leave that up to you. Vote for your favorite 2010 VMA performance in the poll below and leave your arguments in the comments.

Who had the best performance at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards?

Head over to MTV.com now to place your vote for Nicki!

Could Nicki Minaj be the next Lady Gaga? Laurie Ann Gibson certainly thinks so. Choreographer extraordinaire Gibson worked with Gaga to create the dance chemistry in Gaga’s MTV Video Music Award-winning “Bad Romance” video and also put together Minaj’s VMA pre-show dance routine for her song “Check It Out,” with will.i.am.

Minaj, who was dressed in a pink-and-purple spacesuit and coiffed with a cotton-candy-colored wig, impressed her live audience with her dance moves. Accompanied by two dancers in matching outfits, Minaj stood stock-still like a futuristic superhero for the song’s intro before wiggling her hips into the Gibson-choreographed moves.

Gibson, who MTV viewers will remember from Sean (Diddy) Combs’ “Making the Band,” told MTV News that Minaj has the makings of a superstar. “What I love about Nicki is she has the eye of the tiger and she is fearless,” Gibson said. “These are the components that I saw about three years ago in Lady Gaga. I thought, ‘This is going to be fantastic.’ Her swag is amazing.”

And just what was that robotic movement we saw Minaj do during her performance? “The idea is that we’re Barbies landing from outer space,” Gibson explained. “It’s doll-like. It’s amazing.”

Gibson is working on a reality show with Ryan Seacrest that will feature her life as a creative director and choreographer. She says the show will appear on E! sometime in the near future, and it will follow her climb to become a female version of Combs, her mentor and collaborator.

The Moonmen have all been handed out and the stars have gone home, but there’s plenty of 2010 MTV Video Music Awards news, interviews, behind-the-scenes scoop, party reports and more still to come, so keep it locked on MTVNews.com.

Source: MTV

LOS ANGELES — Nicki Minaj is so popular right now she can shut down the scene anywhere she goes. On Saturday (September 11), her fans who happened to be downtown got a big surprise as Nick rehearsed her VMA pre-show performance, practicing “Your Love” and her brand-new single with will.i.am, “Check It Out.”

Although Nicki’s performance was outside, fans, members of her entourage, various MTV crewmembers and anyone sitting in one of the J.W. Marriott hotel’s lounges could see Nick go to work.

“Get it! Get it!” veteran choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson — who MTV viewers will remember from Diddy’s “Making the Band” — yelled after every Minaj “ow ow!” at the beginning of “Check It Out.” “Get it, girl!” Gibson encouraged again.

Two female dancers started in front of the crowd and grooved to “Your Love,” then there was a reveal of the Young Money queen, who stood with her head down and arms folded. Wearing a pink tank top, black leather jacket and black leggings, Minaj moved forward and danced in sync with her backup ladies.

Expect plenty of movement and plenty of energy come Sunday night. Nicki — who’s known for her lyrical acumen and facial expressions (she made those faces in rehearsal too!), but not for dancing — can hold down some steps. “Amaaaazing,” Gibson yelled at the end of another run-through.

There were a few mechanical problems with a key piece of equipment for the stage that’s also an integral part of Nick’s reveal. However, the crew seemed to have the matter under control toward the end of rehearsal.

During her last practice round, Nicki and her dancers switched up the entire beginning of the show. Instead of just playing “Your Love,” Nicki went right into “Check It Out.” There was also smoke that time and more applause from Nick’s biggest cheerleader on Saturday, Laurie Ann.

After the rehearsal, Nicki walked through the lobby taking pictures and even giving a couple of hugs to fans. “Oh my God. She is so real!” one lady said after taking a pic with Nicki.

The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The party starts with MTV News’ VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through Sunday.

By Kathy Iandoli

Nicki Minaj has already planted her Giuseppe Zanotti heels firmly into hip-hop well prior to her just-announced VMA pre-show performance. From her Young Money godfather, Lil Wayne, to Jay-Z, Kanye West, Usher, Ludacris and Trey Songz, she’s chopped it up — and in some cases stolen the spotlight — from some of the hottest MCs in the game.

From razor-sharp lyrics to personality switches within a bar, it seems as though there is nothing Nicki can’t do, even on someone else’s track.

Hit the jump for Nicki’s top collabos …
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Florence Welch has spoken out about her fellow MTV VMA nominees ahead of this Sunday’s event, claiming that she is ‘obsessed’ with Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj.

When asked by MTV.Com who should win the Best New Artist gong Florence was in no doubt whatsoever saying,

“Nicki Minaj! I’m absolutely obsessed with her. I think everything she does is golden. I’m a huge fan. I love her!”

Inevitably Florence was then asked if she’d like to work with Nicki (and why not? She works with EVERYONE). The ‘Dog Days’ star claiming it was something she is eager to set up.

“Of course, I’d love to!” she said. “In fact, if she ever wants to do something with one of my tracks, I’m totally up for it.”