ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 17: Rapper Nicki Minaj performs onstage at Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash ATL: Pop Up … [+]
Earlier this month, the music industry was once again reminded of Nicki Minaj’s undeniable talent and chart-topping prowess as she scored another massive hit with her latest single, “Barbie World.” The song, taken from the Barbie soundtrack, also featured rapper Ice Spice and sampled Aqua’s iconic ’90s hit, “Barbie Girl.” Interestingly, Aqua was credited as a featured artist on the tune, and that proved to be a game-changer, propelling the Danish-Norwegian pop band from one-hit wonders to return hitmakers.
“Barbie World” wasted no time in ascending to the top reaches of several Billboard charts. The track debuted within the top 10 on the Hot 100, matching the No. 7 peak achieved by the original “Barbie Girl” back in 1997. The decision to credit Aqua for the sample instantly doubled the group’s number of top 10 hits.
The impact of “Barbie World” extended beyond the Hot 100, as it also claimed the No. 1 spot on the Digital Song Sales chart, becoming Minaj’s sixteenth chart-topping hit. Her impressive chart record places her second only to Taylor Swift for the second-most No. 1s on the list.
For Aqua, this collaboration not only granted them their first No. 1 hit on the sales chart, but also marked their first appearance on multiple Billboard rankings.
One of the most remarkable achievements of “Barbie World” was Aqua’s debut on various Billboard charts that had eluded them during their heyday. Thanks to Minaj’s innovative collaboration, the pop band made their presence felt on charts like Hot Rap Songs (No. 3), Streaming Songs (No. 8), Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (No. 3), and at least five others they had never hit during their moment in the spotlight.
While Minaj undoubtedly served as the driving force behind “Barbie World,” the collaboration also proved to be a game-changer for Aqua. The newfound success has ushered the Danish-Norwegian band into one of the most lucrative periods of their career in the past quarter of a century. Whether she chose to do so, or whether it was part of the deal that had to be made to sample “Barbie Girl,” one thing is clear: Aqua should be thanking the rapper for this latest smash.
