Nicki Minaj recently read Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise" during A&E Network and iHeartMedia's "Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America."

The 32-year-old female rapper attended the event, which was held to confront issues of race, and promote unity and progress, according to Billboard. The two-hour special was taped at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

"Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise, that I dance like I've got diamonds at the meeting of my thighs?" Minaj read from the 1978 poem, which was met by cheers from the crowd. The rapper wore a shimmering black and gold Balmain ensemble as she recited the poem.

The poem engages the issues of racism, misogyny and sexuality, which are all subjects Minaj has been open about discussing.

Other artists who performed at the event included Alicia Keys, John Legend, Big Sean, Ed Sheeran, Jamie Foxx, Miguel, Pink, Jill Scott, Sia, and Pharrell Williams.

"Any solutions have to begin with dialogue, and we want to help get that dialogue going," Williams said.

In one of the segments on the show, Williams performed in the Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where shootings occurred this past June.

"Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America" is set to air on A&E on Friday at 8 p.m.

Minaj released her third studio album, "The Pinkprint," on Dec. 12, 2014. The album produced the singles "Pills N Potions," "Anaconda," "Only," "Bed of Lies," "Truffle Butter," "The Night Is Still Young" and "Trini Dem Girls." This album topped the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and U.K. R&B Albums charts.

In addition to her music, Minaj is set to star in "Barbershop 3," which will be released to theaters on April 15, 2016. She will also be featured in her own comedy series based on her life growing up in Queens on ABC Family.

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