The Victoria\u2019s Secret Fashion Show has long been one of fashion\u2019s most talked-about events, not just for the lingerie and wings, but also for the musical acts that bring the runway to life. What started in 1995 inside New York\u2019s Plaza Hotel has evolved into a global spectacle that merges music, fashion, and culture all in one night.<\/p>\n
The show\u2019s mix of top models and chart-topping artists quickly made it a television event that everyone wanted to be part of. When Mary J. Blige<\/a> became one of the first musical guests in 2001, it signaled that music would play a major role in the show\u2019s identity moving forward. From there, stars like Destiny\u2019s Child, Usher, and Rihanna kept raising the bar, creating moments that were just as memorable as the fashion itself.<\/p>\n After taking a break in 2019, Victoria\u2019s Secret returned with a bang in 2024. Tyla brought her Afropop sound to the stage,\u201d while Tyra Banks made a major comeback nearly two decades after her final walk. Then in 2025, WNBA star Angel Reese was announced as the brand\u2019s first professional athlete to walk the runway, a milestone that pushed the franchise into a new era. That same year, Missy Elliott was named one of the show\u2019s headliners, continuing Victoria\u2019s Secret\u2019s<\/a> tradition of pairing powerhouse women in fashion with equally powerful performers.<\/p>\n Below are 17 Hip Hop and R&B artists who\u2019ve helped make the Victoria\u2019s Secret Fashion Show an unforgettable part of music and fashion history.<\/p>\n In 2001, the show was televised for the first time in New York, and Mary J. Blige was among the first musical guests. She helped elevate the show from fashion spectacle to cultural event, bringing her soulful voice to the runway. She also returned to the stage in 2003.<\/p>\n In 2002, Beyonc\u00e9, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams took the stage in coordinated gold looks, singing a holiday-themed number, \u201c8 Days of Christmas.\u201d Their performance added a star power boost during the show\u2019s early televised years.<\/p>\n When Blige returned in 2003, she was joined by Eve to perform their single \u201cNot Today,\u201d bringing her Hip Hop energy to the Victoria\u2019s Secret stage.<\/p>\n Justin Timberlake<\/a> brought his iconic pop and R&B style to the show in 2006. His presence helped bridge fashion and mainstream pop music at a time when musical guests became expected.<\/p>\n In 2007, will.i.am stepped in for Kanye West, who had to cancel following the death of his mother, and performed \u201cI Got It From My Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n Usher appeared in the 2008 show, which was filmed in Miami, performing hits like \u201cWhat\u2019s Your Name\u201d and \u201cYeah!\u201d The singer\u2019s stage presence meshed well with the runway flow.<\/p>\n Will.i.am returned to the Victoria\u2019s Secret stage in 2009, this time with Fergie and the rest of the Black Eyed Peas. Together, they brought their dance-pop energy to the runway, turning the show into a high-tech, crowd-moving performance.<\/p>\n In 2010, Akon<\/a> delivered a set that included his song \u201cAngel,\u201d matching the brand\u2019s angel motif.<\/p>\n Nicki Minaj brought her bold energy in 2011 during the PINK segment, performing \u201cSuper Bass\u201d while rocking her signature pink wig look. She added a theatrical flair to the show.<\/p>\n In 2011, Kanye West finally hit the Victoria\u2019s Secret stage with a performance of \u201cStronger.\u201d The crowd also got a surprise when JAY-Z joined him for their hit \u201cNi**as in Paris.\u201d The two had just performed together the night before at Madison Square Garden for their \u201cWatch the Throne Tour.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2012, Rihanna took over the New York stage with performances of \u201cDiamonds\u201d and \u201cPhresh Out the Runway.\u201d It was one of the show\u2019s standout moments during its peak era. And in true Rihanna fashion, she wrapped her set with a fierce catwalk of her own, matching the models step for step.<\/p>\n1. Mary J. Blige<\/h2>\n
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2. Destiny\u2019s Child<\/h2>\n
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3. Eve<\/h2>\n
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4. Justin Timberlake<\/h2>\n
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5. Will.i.am<\/h2>\n
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6. Usher<\/h2>\n
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7. Black Eyed Peas<\/h2>\n
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8. Akon<\/h2>\n
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9. Nicki Minaj<\/h2>\n
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10. JAY-Z and Kanye West<\/h2>\n
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11. Rihanna<\/h2>\n
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12. Justin Bieber<\/h2>\n
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