LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 09: Nicki Minaj attends the World Premiere of “Barbie” at Shrine … [+]
After much anticipation, the Barbie soundtrack has finally been released. The album, which was announced several months ago, features a star-studded lineup of artists, including Billie Eilish, Sam Smith, Lizzo, and Dua Lipa. However, the one powerhouse that the team behind the compilation wanted more than any other was Nicki Minaj.
George Drakoulias, the music supervisor who played a vital role in putting together the Barbie soundtrack, revealed during a recent interview, “We always wanted Nicki Minaj.” He was part of the team responsible for recruiting the artists and ensuring the seamless compilation of the album, making it not only a star-studded affair but also a remarkable collection of songs. As they brainstormed a list of names, Minaj emerged as the top choice.
The decision to have Minaj on the Barbie soundtrack was a no-brainer. She has been associated with the Barbie brand for over a decade, even releasing several songs with “Barbie” in the title and often referring to herself as one. Her star power, coupled with her talent, made her the perfect fit for the project, aligning perfectly with the essence of the toy, and perhaps more importantly, the movie.
Drakoulias explained that they knew they wanted “something about Aqua”—the band that scored a hit decades ago with “Barbie Girl,” but were unsure of the specifics. Many fans and onlookers assumed that the one-hit wonder’s single smash would appear in the movie, but that was not to be…not in the way many assumed, at least.
Drakoulias and his team wanted to reinvent the track and make it more intriguing, instead of using the original as it was. They questioned, “How do we reinvent this” and, “How do we make it interesting?” And sure enough, they found a brilliant way.
The outcome of their creative process was “Barbie World,” a captivating two-minute pop, dance, and hip-hop hybrid fronted by Minaj. The track also features fellow rapper Ice Spice and samples Aqua’s earlier hit, so they get a credit as well. “Barbie World” quickly became the breakout smash from the Barbie soundtrack, debuting and peaking inside the top 10 on the Hot 100 chart. So far, it’s the only title from the album to reach such a height. Its success confirmed that Drakoulias and his collaborators were on the right track when they chose to focus on Minaj for the project.
Most of the songs featured on the Barbie soundtrack are actually in the film. This isn’t always the case with high-profile albums tied to movies. Minaj’s single plays as the credits begin to roll, a decision that was intentional from the start. Drakoulias revealed, “That was always kind of the goal – let’s end with that.”
This fun conclusion provides audiences with a last moment to enjoy before they leave the theater and leaves them with a smile, underscoring the enduring power of Barbie and of course Minaj, who was the ultimate get for this album.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/07/25/the-team-behind-the-barbie-soundtrack-says-they-always-wanted-nicki-minaj/