Alongside the song’s official debut on Friday (June 23), New York-based artists Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice have dropped the music video for their joint track, “Barbie World.”
Immersed in a palette of pink hues and featuring a troupe of chiseled dancers reminiscent of Ken dolls, the “Barbie World” video encapsulates a quintessential doll-themed fantasy. Helmed by director Hannah Lux Davis, the visual spectacle sees Minaj and Spice channeling iconic scenes reminiscent of Greta Gerwig’s film trailer, mastering their Barbie-inspired poses amidst a lavish rendition of the famed Barbie Dreamhouse.
This collaboration isn’t the first for Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice. The duo previously collaborated, teaming up with Ice Spice’s frequent collaborator, RiotUSA, on a remix titled “Princess Diana,” derived from Ice’s EP titled Like. Notably, this remix soared to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. “Barbie World” cleverly integrates a memorable sample from AQUA’s 1997 chart-topper, “Barbie Girl,” with the Danish Europop ensemble receiving rightful songwriting credits.
Prior to the official rollout of the Barbie promotional blitz, speculation arose suggesting that AQUA’s original “Barbie Girl” track, a 1997 Hot 100 hit peaking at No. 7, would not feature in the film. This uncertainty stemmed from a historical legal battle between Mattel, the brains behind Barbie, and MCA Records. In 2002, Mattel’s claims alleging copyright infringement against AQUA’s song were dismissed, with both parties involved facing and ultimately overcoming defamation allegations. Subsequent appeals to these decisions were also rejected.