"Barbie World" is a hip-hop and drill song by American rappers Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice, featuring Danish Eurodance group Aqua, released on June 23, 2023, as the fourth single from the soundtrack album Barbie the Album for the 2023 film Barbie.[1]The track serves as a remix and interpolation of Aqua's 1997 international hit "Barbie Girl," incorporating elements of the original's melody and lyrics while updating it with contemporary rap verses that celebrate female empowerment, fashion, and confidence in a playful nod to the Barbie brand.[1] Produced by RIOTUSA, the song blends the nostalgic bubblegum pop of the sample with Ice Spice's signature Bronx drill flow and Minaj's bold lyricism, earning praise for its energetic vibe and cultural tie-in to the film's themes of self-expression.[1]Upon release, "Barbie World" debuted at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking Minaj's 23rd top-10 entry and Ice Spice's second consecutive top-10 debut that year following their collaboration "Princess Diana."[1] It also debuted at number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, highlighting the duo's rising synergy in the genre.[2] Internationally, the single peaked at number three in both Australia and New Zealand, and reached the top 20 in several European countries, driven by the global hype surrounding the Barbie film directed by Greta Gerwig; it has since been certified platinum in Australia and Canada.[3]The official music video, directed by Hannah Lux Davis, premiered on YouTube on the same day and features performance clips of Minaj and Ice Spice in vibrant, pink-themed sets evoking Barbie's iconic aesthetic. By mid-2023, the video had amassed millions of views, contributing to the song's viral success on platforms like TikTok, where users recreated its choreography and lyrics in user-generated content.[1]As part of Barbie the Album—which features contributions from artists like Dua Lipa, Ava Max, and Dominic Fike—"Barbie World" underscores Mattel's strategic use of music to extend the franchise's cultural reach, building on the original "Barbie Girl" controversy and licensing agreement from the late 1990s.[2] The collaboration not only revitalized Aqua's classic but also positioned Minaj, a self-proclaimed "Harajuku Barbie," and emerging star Ice Spice as key figures in the soundtrack's promotion of the film's empowering narrative.[1]
Background and Development
Conception and Writing
"Barbie World" was conceived as a modern homage to the 1997 Aqua hit "Barbie Girl," directly sampling its signature hook to resonate with the 2023 Barbie film's exploration of empowerment, identity, and satirical takes on perfection and consumerism. The track was developed specifically for the movie's soundtrack, aiming to bridge the original song's playful Europop energy with contemporary hip-hop elements, creating a fresh interpretation that celebrated Barbie's cultural legacy while subverting traditional gender roles.[4]In early 2023, soundtrack producers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt approached Nicki Minaj to contribute a rap verse, drawn to her decades-long self-identification as the "Queen of Rap" and her frequent use of Barbie imagery in her work, which aligned perfectly with the film's narrative. Minaj, having passed on several prior song pitches for the project that she felt did not capture the right vibe, proposed bringing in Ice Spice as a collaborator to inject a dynamic generational contrast and youthful edge to the track. This suggestion stemmed from Minaj's admiration for Ice Spice's rising drill-influenced style and their prior successful team-up on "Princess Diana," fostering a mentor-protégé synergy that energized the collaboration.[4][5]Minaj focused her verses on the pressures of fame and the performative aspects of femininity, drawing from her own experiences in the spotlight, while Ice Spice infused her parts with references to modern youth culture, street savvy, and unapologetic confidence, adding a raw, Gen-Z perspective to the narrative. These contributions were iteratively refined to ensure the rhymes complemented the sampled hook without overshadowing the homage.[6]To enhance authenticity and pay respect to the source material, the team decided to feature Aqua on the track, securing the Danish band's enthusiastic approval for the sample and concept. This inclusion not only cleared legal hurdles from past Mattel disputes over "Barbie Girl" but also symbolized a full-circle endorsement from the originators.[7]
Recording and Production
The production of "Barbie World" was led by RIOTUSA, who reworked Aqua's 1997 track "Barbie Girl" into a modern drill and Jersey house beat at 144 beats per minute, incorporating trap-influenced percussion and synth elements to blend the original's bubbly Eurodance vibe with contemporary hip-hop energy.[8][9][10]Mark Ronson served as executive producer for the overall Barbie soundtrack album, overseeing the track's integration into the film's end credits after director Greta Gerwig suggested sampling "Barbie Girl" to evoke the movie's playful yet subversive tone.[10][11]Recording sessions occurred in early 2023, with Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice contributing verses separately due to scheduling constraints; Minaj's vocals were engineered by her longtime collaborator Aubrey "Big Juice" Delaine, while Ice Spice worked closely with RIOTUSA, her primary producer, amid challenges in coordinating her availability during a busy tour schedule.[8][10] The track resulted in a concise runtime under two minutes that captured a "fever dream" quality reflective of current pop-rap trends.[10]Post-recording, the track was mixed by Serban Ghenea at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with assistance from Bryce Bordone, emphasizing clarity in the layered sample and rap flows for dynamic playback.[12][8] Mastering was handled by Randy Merrill, who enhanced the bass response to optimize the song's club and streaming appeal without overpowering the whimsical sample.[13] These final tweaks ensured the production's high-energy ad-libs and rhythmic sync, addressing initial difficulties in aligning the rappers' flows over the upbeat interpolation.[10]
Composition and Lyrics
Musical Structure
"Barbie World" is a short track with a runtime of 1:49, blending elements of drill, pop rap, and bubblegum dance through its incorporation of a prominent sample from 1990s eurodance.[9][14] The song follows a compact structure typical of modern hip-hop tracks: an intro featuring the sampled hook, followed by Verse 1 performed by Ice Spice, a chorus built around the sample, Verse 2 by Nicki Minaj, and an outro that fades with the recurring sample.[15] This arrangement emphasizes rhythmic verses over the sample's melodic core, creating a high-energy flow within the limited duration.[16]Key production features include a heavy 808 bass line providing a booming, bass-heavy pulse that drives the track's momentum, complemented by electronic drops and syncopated percussion.[6] The tempo is set at 144 BPM in the key of C major, lending an upbeat, danceable pace.[9] Instrumentation features synth leads that evoke 1990s eurodance aesthetics from the sample, contrasted with modern trap-style hi-hats that add a crisp, contemporary edge to the drill-influenced beat.[14] Produced by RIOTUSA, these elements fuse nostalgic pop with current hip-hop production techniques.[6]The track centers on a direct sample of the chorus from Aqua's 1997 hit "Barbie Girl," lifting multiple elements including vocals and melody, which are integrated as the song's hook.[17] This sample was legally cleared for use in the Barbie soundtrack through Warner Music Group, the album's distributor, resolving prior trademark tensions between Mattel and the original song's creators.[18] The sampled vocals appear slightly pitched to blend seamlessly with the new production, enhancing the bubblegum dance vibe while maintaining the track's overall cohesion.[16]
Lyrical Themes
The lyrics of "Barbie World" explore themes of female empowerment, portraying Barbie not merely as a doll but as a symbol of unapologetic strength and allure, reimagined through the lenses of hip-hop artists Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice.[19] This feminist reclamation contrasts the playful fantasy of Barbie's idealized pink world—evoking consumerism through references to luxury items like a "Pink 'Vette" and high-end shopping on Rodeo Drive—with the real-world pressures on women to maintain perfection and authenticity amid inauthenticity.[20] The song's narrative subtly nods to consumerism's double-edged sword, celebrating material excess as a form of self-expression while critiquing "fake Barbies" who imitate without substance, thereby promoting genuine self-acceptance over superficial emulation.[21]Wordplay permeates the track, with clever puns and allusions reinforcing the Barbie motif, such as naming variants like "Jazzie, Stacie, Nikki" to blend doll lore with personal identity, and the line "Bob for the wig, he Bob Dylan" showcasing Minaj's signature lyrical dexterity.[15] The chorus, built around the sampled hook from Aqua's "I'm a Barbie Girl," amplifies escapism by declaring "I'm a doll, but I still wanna party," inviting listeners into a vibrant, carefree fantasy that underscores the allure of the Barbie aesthetic while hinting at subtle jabs at critics through boasts of enduring relevance.[20]Ice Spice's verse embodies youthful confidence, with assertive lines like "Barbie ain't nothin' to play 'bout" and critiques of pretenders—"All the fake Barbies just wanna pretend"—highlighting her rapid ascent and bold persona shaped by social media virality in the drill rap scene.[6] In contrast, Nicki Minaj's contribution addresses her longevity in rap, reclaiming the "Barbie" moniker she has embodied for years—evident in references to her "pink print" status and the "Barbie clique"—transforming it into a badge of pioneering influence and resilience against industry doubters.[19] These elements tie the lyrics to the Barbie film's narrative of departing a flawless utopia for self-discovery, satirizing the transition from fantasy to empowered reality.[20]
Release and Promotion
Announcement and Marketing
"Barbie World" was announced on June 10, 2023, by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice via their respective social media accounts, confirming the track's release date of June 23, 2023, as the third single from the soundtrack album for the upcoming filmBarbie.[22] The announcement capitalized on the mounting excitement for the Greta Gerwig-directed movie, positioning the collaboration as a highlight of the Barbie: The Album project curated by executive producers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt.[23] A brief teaser clip of the song was shared shortly after on platforms associated with Warner Bros., further amplifying the hype around the remix of Aqua's 1997 hit "Barbie Girl."[24]The marketing campaign for "Barbie World" leaned heavily into the film's iconic pink aesthetic and empowering themes, with Minaj and Ice Spice posting coordinated, neon-pink-themed visuals on Instagram that featured doll-like imagery and snippets of the track.[22] On TikTok, promotional efforts included challenges encouraging users to create content using the song's sample, such as dance routines and transitions mimicking Barbie's playful poses, which quickly went viral and generated millions of views.[25] Cross-promotion extended to Mattel merchandise tied to the movie, enhancing the soundtrack's visibility within the franchise's ecosystem.[26]The song premiered on streaming platforms at midnight EST on June 23, 2023, following a buildup on Apple Music 1 where Minaj discussed the collaboration during her Queen Radio show.[27] This rollout was seamlessly integrated into Minaj's ongoing "Barbie" persona narrative, serving as a key soundtrack element that bridged her solo projects and the film's promotional timeline leading to the July 21 theatrical debut.[28] The viral strategy emphasizing user-generated content not only fostered organic engagement but also drove pre-save numbers and early streams, solidifying the track's role in the movie's cultural phenomenon.[29]
Formats and Singles
"Barbie World" was released on June 23, 2023, as the third single from the soundtrack album Barbie the Album, available for digital download and streaming through Atlantic Records.The track was issued in a standard digitalsingle format with a runtime of 1:49, encompassing both explicit and clean versions. An accompanying "Versions" EP followed on June 26, 2023, featuring the vocal tracks alongside an instrumental variant, all maintaining the 1:49 duration. The song is also included on the vinyl edition of the Barbie the Album soundtrack LP, released by Atlantic Records.[30]Promoted as a duetsingle by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice featuring Aqua, it did not receive a standalone physical CD single release but was bundled within deluxe editions of the soundtrack album.[31]The single saw a simultaneous global rollout across digital platforms, with promotional efforts in Europe particularly highlighting the feature from Danish group Aqua to leverage their regional legacy.[32]
Reception and Accolades
Critical Reviews
Critics generally praised "Barbie World" for its playful energy and seamless integration of the Aqua sample from "Barbie Girl," transforming the 1997 Eurodance hit into a modern drill-infused rap track that captures the film's vibrant, nostalgic spirit.[33] In a review of the Barbie soundtrack, Rolling Stone noted that the song "effortlessly brings Aqua's 'Barbie Girl' into the 21st century with a drill beat and a playful remix of the iconic chorus," highlighting its fitting role in the album.[33] Similarly, The Guardian described it as "109 seconds of pure plastic bliss," emphasizing Nicki Minaj's longstanding "Barbie" persona and her chemistry with Ice Spice as a protégé.[34]The collaboration between Minaj and Ice Spice received particular acclaim for its dynamic interplay, with Pitchfork observing in its best rap songs list that Ice Spice's "hardened mode" adds edge even to "cuddly pop-rap like 'Barbie World,'" underscoring their shared drill influences and vocal synergy.[35]Rolling Stone critic Rob Sheffield further lauded the track in his top songs of 2023, calling it a hype-up of "Nicki's subterranean connection with Ice Spice, the Bronx rapper who is the closest thing to a true successor in the rap game right now."[36] These elements were seen as strengthening the song's appeal as a soundtracktie-in, effectively boosting the film's cultural buzz through its sassy, empowering vibe.[37]Some reviews offered mixed assessments, critiquing the track's heavy reliance on the original sample and its explicit lyrics, which some felt overshadowed deeper artistic innovation. The Guardian, in another soundtrack analysis, acknowledged "Barbie World" as "one of Minaj's better singles in recent years" despite the album's overall corporate feel, but noted its brevity limits lasting impact.[37] Doth Music described it as an attempt to build on "Barbie Girl" that "provides no lasting impact," pointing to derivative elements in the rap flow and production.[38] Plugged In highlighted concerns over the "sexually suggestive and graphic lyrics paired with profanity," contrasting it sharply with the original's lighter tone.[39]Overall, the consensus positioned "Barbie World" as a strong, fun soundtrack contribution that excels in thematic relevance to the Barbie film, though it divides opinions on originality. The Barbie: The Album, which includes the track, holds a Metacritic score of 70/100 based on four critic reviews, reflecting generally favorable reception for its pop-star lineup and cultural tie-in value.[40] Specific quotes capture this divide: The Musical Hype praised its "unapologetic" delivery and "dynamic punch."[41]
Awards and Nominations
"Barbie World" received several nominations across major music awards in 2023 and 2024, recognizing its impact as a collaboration from the Barbie soundtrack. At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024, the song was nominated for Best Rap Song but lost to "Scientists & Engineers" by Killer Mike featuring André 3000, Future, and Metro Boomin.[42] It was also nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media, ultimately losing to Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For?" from the same film.[42]A notable controversy arose during the Grammy pre-telecast on February 4, 2024, when the Recording Academy's official X account accidentally posted that "Barbie World" had won Best Rap Song, only to delete it minutes later after the actual winner was announced.[43] This error sparked widespread fan backlash, particularly from Nicki Minaj's supporters known as the Barbz, who accused the Academy of sabotage amid Minaj's history of Grammy snubs.[44] Minaj addressed the incident on social media, commenting on the perceived disrespect and fueling discussions about biases in award recognition for hip-hop artists, though no legal action was pursued.[45]The track earned further recognition at other ceremonies. At the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, it was nominated for Song of the Summer but lost to Jung Kook and Latto's "Seven."[46] In 2024, it received a nomination for Best Collaboration at the BET Awards, where it was defeated by GloRilla and Megan Thee Stallion's "Wanna Be,"[47] and another for Best Collaboration at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, losing to Rema and Selena Gomez's "Calm Down."[48] It was also nominated for Top Rap Song at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards, losing to Doja Cat's "Paint The Town Red."[49]
"Barbie World" debuted at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for the chart dated July 8, 2023, marking Nicki Minaj's 23rd top 10 entry, Ice Spice's fourth, and Aqua's second on the ranking.[50] The track's entry was propelled primarily by streaming activity, with 16.2 million on-demand streams in the United States during its first tracking week, alongside 37,000 digital sales and limited radio airplay.[50] It maintained its peak position for one week before descending the chart, ultimately spending 21 weeks in total on the Hot 100.[51]The song achieved strong international performance as well, reflecting its tie-in with the global phenomenon of the Barbie film. It peaked at number 4 on the UK Official Singles Chart, peaking at number 3 in both New Zealand and Australia.[52][53][3] In Canada, it entered the top 10 by peaking at number 7 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, while on the Billboard Global 200, it reached number 6.[54][55] These positions underscored the track's broad appeal, particularly in English-speaking markets.Streaming played a pivotal role in the song's chart trajectory, with sustained consumption contributing to its longevity and post-debut climbs, including a rise to number 8 on the Hot 100 in early August 2023.[56] The release of the Barbie movie on July 21, 2023, provided a significant boost, aligning with increased visibility from promotional tie-ins and the film's massive box office success. Additionally, the official music video, premiered on June 23, 2023, alongside the single, amassed over 170 million views on YouTube as of late 2023, further amplifying its streaming momentum.[57] By year's end, "Barbie World" ranked at number 47 on the 2023 Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart, highlighting its enduring impact within the year's biggest hits.
Sales and Certifications
"Barbie World" has amassed substantial global sales, surpassing 1 billion streams across platforms by mid-2024. In the United States, the track was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on September 15, 2023, representing 1 million equivalent units that include both physical and digital sales as well as streaming equivalents, and later certified 4× Platinum in 2025 for 4 million units.[58][59]The song earned Gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in the United Kingdom for 400,000 units. It also achieved Platinum status from Music Canada (MC) in Canada and the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in Australia, while receiving a Gold certification from the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) in France.As of November 2025, "Barbie World" had accumulated over 550 million streams on Spotify and 174 million views on its official music video on YouTube, contributing to its robust performance.[60][57] Digital sales were notably strong through iTunes bundles packaged with the full Barbie the Album soundtrack.[57]Following its initial 2023 release, the track gained additional certifications in 2024, fueled by a viral resurgence on TikTok that extended its cultural reach and streaming momentum.
Music Video
Production
The official music video for "Barbie World" was directed by Hannah Lux Davis, known for her work on visually dynamic projects with artists like Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.[57] Filming occurred on June 7, 2023, with a rapid two-week turnaround to align with the song's release and the promotional timeline for Warner Bros.' Barbie film soundtrack.[61] The production emphasized collaborative elements like custom props to evoke the film's aesthetic.[62]Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice starred as the leads, clad in elaborate Barbie-inspired outfits featuring vibrant pink hues, high-fashion silhouettes, and accessories that paid homage to the doll's iconic style.[61] The cast included a ensemble of background dancers portraying buff, Ken-like figures in coordinated pink attire, enhancing the video's playful, empowering vibe.[63] Key props supplied by Mattel incorporated custom Barbie dolls modeled after Minaj and Spice, along with surreal items like a Barbie News newspaper and a chessboard setup, all designed to immerse viewers in a fantastical doll world.[61]Davis opted for a high-fashion parody style, blending surreal, dreamlike sets such as exaggerated dreamhouse interiors with dynamic sequences that highlighted movement and whimsy to capture the song's energetic flow.[61] The video runs for 2 minutes and 51 seconds, structured to sync tightly with the track's interpolation of Aqua's "Barbie Girl."[57] Production challenges centered on coordinating visual nods to the Aqua sample while maintaining a cohesive Barbie theme under the compressed schedule.[61]In post-production, the team at Framestore added extensive CGI and visual effects to amplify the Barbie world, creating seamless transitions between live-action footage and animated elements like floating props and enhanced pink landscapes for a polished, otherworldly finish.[61]
Content and Release
The music video for "Barbie World" depicts Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice in a vibrant, candy-colored Barbie utopia that evokes the film's whimsical aesthetic. It opens with two young girls playing with custom Barbie dolls modeled after the rappers in a pink dream house, before the dolls come to life and transition to the artists themselves lip-syncing their verses amid dance breaks with groups of men dressed in tuxedos with pink ties. The narrative unfolds through playful scenes, including the duo riding pink jet-skis across cotton candy clouds and Ice Spice cruising a pink convertible down Rodeo Drive, while Minaj appears in a supersized solo sequence towering over tiny dancing Ken dolls.[64][65][66]The visuals emphasize themes of empowerment and playful self-expression, mirroring the song's lyrics about embracing one's fabulous identity as a "doll" who defies expectations in a fantastical world. This is conveyed through the artists' confident performances in bold pink outfits, surrounded by exaggerated Barbie-inspired elements that celebrate femininity and fun without conforming to traditional constraints. Product placements, such as Olipop soda, integrate seamlessly into the party-like atmosphere, reinforcing the video's lighthearted yet assertive tone.[64][65][67]Directed by Hannah Lux Davis, the video was released on June 23, 2023, via YouTube, where it quickly amassed nearly 1 million views in its first day. By late July 2023, it had surpassed 33 million views; as of November 2025, it has over 174 million views, contributing to the track's widespread appeal. The release amplified the song's virality, with its colorful imagery inspiring numerous user-generated recreations and challenges across social media platforms, further embedding it in popular culture.[57][64][68][57]
Credits and Releases
Personnel
The personnel for "Barbie World" includes key performers, songwriters, and production team members credited on the track from the Barbie the Album soundtrack.[8]Performers
No additional background vocalists or specific instrumentation credits (beyond the sampled elements) are listed in the official releases.[8]
Track Listings
"Barbie World" was initially released as a digital single featuring the main version of the track, performed by Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, and Aqua.[72] The song runs for 1:49 and samples Aqua's 1997 hit "Barbie Girl."[13] It later appeared as the third track on the soundtrack album Barbie The Album, released by Atlantic Records.[73]An extended play (EP) titled Barbie World (with Aqua) [From Barbie The Album] [Versions] was issued shortly after, containing multiple versions of the track, including explicit and clean editions, along with remixed variants and an instrumental. The EP comprises six audio tracks and one video, all produced by RiotUSA.[74] The track listings for the Versions EP are as follows:
No.
Title
Duration
1
Barbie World (From Barbie The Album) [Explicit]
1:49
2
Barbie World (From Barbie The Album) [Clean]
1:49
3
Barbie World (From Barbie The Album) [Extended]
2:16
4
Barbie World (From Barbie The Album) [Sped Up]
1:42
5
Barbie World (From Barbie The Album) [Slowed Down]
2:00
6
Barbie World (From Barbie The Album) [Instrumental]
1:49
Video
Barbie World (From Barbie The Album)
2:11
The instrumental version from the EP is also incorporated into the broader soundtrack context for Barbie The Album.[75]
Release History
"Barbie World" was first released worldwide as a digital download and streaming single on June 23, 2023, through Atlantic Records, 10K Projects, and Capitol Records.[72] The Versions EP followed on June 26, 2023, exclusively in digital formats (AAC and FLAC files) worldwide.[74] The full soundtrack Barbie The Album, including the standard version of "Barbie World" as track 3, was released on July 21, 2023, in various formats, including digital streaming, CD, and vinyl LP.[73] The vinyl edition of the album features the track in its standard 1:49 form alongside other soundtrack contributions.[76]Subsequent updates included availability in Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on Apple Music, enhancing the track's immersive listening experience as part of the platform's broader soundtrack integration.[77] No major re-releases or new physical formats have occurred by November 2025, though the song continued to accumulate significant streaming milestones, exceeding 550 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025, with over 558 million plays.[78]