MTV News will kick off one of the biggest nights in music with the first-ever televised solo performance from Young Money's first lady, Nicki Minaj at the "2010 VMA Pre-Show", which takes place on September 12.

The female rapper will perform her hit single, "Young Love," while celebrities and other musicians make their way into the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, via the white carpet and after talking to MTV News correspondents.

"I am truly honored to be a part of this year's VMAs. Just yesterday I was an underground female rapper. See Barbz? Dreams do come true," Nicki said.

Beginning Tuesday (September 7), MTV and Nicki Minaj will launch a Twitter contest, in which ten lucky fans will win a front row spot to watch her performance. For detailed information on the contest, follow both @NickiMinaj and @MTVTJ. Winners will be announced on Friday, September 10th.

Also, MTV's first-ever TJ (Twitter Jockey,) Gabi Gregg, will be on hand to helm MTV News' Twitter Tracker, a dynamic visualization of the global VMA conversation on Twitter. Gabi will be gauging up-to-the-minute Twitter volume on VMA nominees, performers and presenters, while vetting fan questions and Tweeting all the white carpet action @MTVTJ.

As previously announced, comedienne Chelsea Handler will host the show, while performers include Linkin Park, Usher, Paramore, Eminem, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Drake, B.o.B and Florence + The Machine are confirmed, along with Travie McCoy, Jason Derulo and Robyn who will take the stage with this year's VMA house artist, deadmau5.

In addition, Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj, Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Trey Songz, Ashley Greene, Selena Gomez , Ne-Yo and The Social Network's Justin Timberlake, Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield are confirmed to present.

Viewers can vote for "Best New Artist" now by visiting VMA.MTV.com. In addition, text voting for "Best New Artist" is open to all wireless carrier subscribers by texting BNA to 97979. Voting continues through the show, live on September 12.

The "VMAs Pre-Show" airs at 8 p.m. (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT.), with the 2010 MTV VMAS following directly after.