Barbie Dreams
A playful roast of male rappers over a Notorious B.I.G. beat.
Barbie Dreams is a song by Nicki Minaj from her fourth studio album Queen, released as the third single on August 14, 2018, through Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records. It received widespread critical acclaim and peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track samples The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Just Playing (Dreams)" and features Minaj playfully roasting male rappers she knows and collaborates with. Recording engineer Big Juice said she recorded about 90 percent of the song in one take after looping the beat for twenty to thirty minutes.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Nicki Minaj
- Album
- Queen
- Released
- 14 August 2018
- Genre
- Hip hop
- Label
- Young Money; Cash Money
- Writer
- Rivelino Raoul Wouter
- Onika Tanya Maraj
- Christopher Smith
- James Brown
- Fred Wesley
- Producer
- Mel & Mus; Ringo
Facts from the source article.
Background and release
In a June 2018 Elle interview, Minaj expressed a desire to revive rap beef in a fun spirit. On August 10, 2018, she revealed the Queen tracklist, which included Barbie Dreams at number three, and the song premiered hours later on major platforms. Minaj promoted it on her Beats 1 Queen Radio show. Four days later, Young Money sent the song to rhythmic contemporary radio as the third single, following Bed featuring Ariana Grande. The title references Minaj's Barbie alter ego.
Composition and lyrics
Barbie Dreams is a hip hop song lasting four minutes and thirty-nine seconds. It interpolates Just Playing (Dreams) by The Notorious B.I.G. and Blues and Pants by James Brown. Minaj had previously used the same B.I.G. beat on her 2007 mixtape track Dreams. Lyrically, she playfully insults prominent male rappers and athletes—including Lil Wayne, Drake, Meek Mill, Eminem, DJ Khaled, 50 Cent, and others—rather than expressing attraction as Biggie did. Minaj denied the song was a diss track, stating on her Queen Radio show and Twitter that she only mentioned people she loves, calling it culture and fun. She uses her Barbie persona to challenge conventional beauty standards. Recording engineer Big Juice noted that Minaj recorded about 90 percent of the song in one take after looping the beat for twenty to thirty minutes. Minaj cited B.I.G., Eminem, and 50 Cent's How to Rob as inspirations.
Critical reception
The song received widespread critical acclaim. Mosi Reeves of Rolling Stone called it a viral revision of Biggie's Just Playing (Dreams), noting Minaj cuts down male rappers. Kathy Iandoli of Billboard deemed it a standout track. Ben Beaumont-Thomas of The Guardian described it as perfect for a gossipy, meme-obsessed age. Brianna Younger of Pitchfork called it a flamethrowing pink slip delivered with a wink. A.d. Amorosi of Variety called it a hilarious rap attack. Spins Israel Daramola noted the song's meanness makes listeners wonder if Minaj is just playing. Billboard ranked it the 95th best song of 2018.
Music video
The music video for Barbie Dreams was directed by Hype Williams and premiered on September 10, 2018, after Minaj's Queen Radio show on Beats 1. Minaj ascends while paying homage to The Notorious B.I.G. The video features hand-puppet Muppet versions of male rappers mentioned in the song, including 50 Cent, Meek Mill, 6ix9ine, DJ Khaled, Lil Wayne, and Quavo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who produced Barbie Dreams?
Barbie Dreams was produced by Mel & Mus and Ringo.
Who wrote Barbie Dreams?
Barbie Dreams was written by Rivelino Raoul Wouter, Onika Tanya Maraj, Christopher Smith, James Brown and Fred Wesley.
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