Nicky Minaj could have died

Nicki Minaj was convinced she was “about to die” recently.

The 'Super Bass' hitmaker stunned the audience at the BET Awards last night with her revelation as she picked up the prize for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist and claimed that, despite her health scare, she didn't want to ask for help in case it became public.

She said: “The other day, literally, I didn't tell anybody this, I really thought I was about to die. Like, I was saying my prayers to die. And I didn't even wanna call the ambulance because I thought, 'Well, if I call an ambulance, it's gonna be on TMZ.'“

The rapper then broke the tension with a smile and added: “And it made me realise, I don't care anymore what anybody gotta say. I'mma do me! I'mma do me!”

The 'Pills N Potions' rapper went on to make an apparent slight against fellow nominee Iggy Azalea by stressing that she writes all her own material.

She said: “My point is, what I want the world to know about Nicki Minaj, is when you hear Nicki Minaj spit, Nicki Minaj wrote it. No shade.”

Elsewhere at the ceremony - which was hosted by Chris Rock and took place at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles - Beyonce won three awards, but was not at the ceremony to pick up her 2014 FANdemonium award, Best Female R&B/Pop Artist and Best Collaboration for 'Drunk in Love' with husband Jay Z - while Pharrell Williams and August Alsina each took home two trophies.

Pharrell - who kicked off the event with a performance of 'Come Get It Bae' with Missy Elliott - took home Best Male R&B/ Pop Artist and Best Video for 'Happy', while August won Viewers Choice Award for 'I Luv This',” his collaboration with Trinidad James.

Picking up the first award, he said: “I represent the struggle. This award is not for me, it's for the people.”

'12 Years a Slave' swept the board in the movie category, taking Best Movie and Best Actor and Actress for stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong'o.

Lionel Richie was honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

Other performers at the ceremony - which were established by the Black Entertainment Television network to recognise the achievements of African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment - included John Legend, Chris Brown, and Robin Thicke.

BET Awards 2014 List of Winners:

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: Beyoncé

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Pharrell Williams

Best Collaboration: Beyoncé featuring Jay Z - 'Drunk In Love'

Best Movie: '12 Years a Slave'

Best Actress: Lupita Nyong'o

Best Actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor

Video of the Year: Pharrell Williams - 'Happy'

Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Drake

Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj

Best Group: Young Money

Subway Sportsman of the Year: Kevin Durant