As promised, Nicki Minaj delivered two brand new singles on Thursday (April 12), “Barbie Tingz” and “Chun-Li.” Released in tandem with a Zane Lowe interview on Beats 1, the songs seem to focus on past and current industry friction — which is clearly drawing a clear line in the sand for listeners.
“I pull up in that quarter milli off the lot … oh, now she tryna be friends like I forgot,” she raps on “Chun-Li,” which some people believe is a dig at Cardi B.
More than anything, the two singles — her first solo drops since last year’s #3PackFromParis — work to reassert her dominance in Hip Hop. As one might expect, her dedicated fan base were all the way here for it.
These @NICKIMINAJ tracks are on??fucking??fire?? #NickiDay
— Shawn Laizure (@shawnlaizure) April 12, 2018
@NICKIMINAJ I am so esctatic that my Queen is back!!! Thank you gorgeous for giving me life with #chunli and #barbietingz
— The Arts Geek (@artsgeek770) April 12, 2018
#NickiDay @NICKIMINAJ yasssssss I am here for all the disses sis they all had it coming #BarbieTingz cardi #chungli
— Issabarbie (@Izza_barbie) April 12, 2018
@NICKIMINAJ babe I ready for that album ?
— ✨Elextra✨ (@manie_forever) April 12, 2018
Still, many appear to find her need to (seemingly) stir the pot frustrating and a little boring, especially given how well Cardi’s debut album Invasion Of Privacy has been received. She even brings up Remy on “Barbie Tingz,” with jabs at her inability to craft any massive mainstream hits.
“It’s time to make hits and it’s time to diss … how you still dissin’, still can’t find some hits,” she raps.
It’s clear she doesn’t appear to be winning any new fans with these releases.
All This Cardi B and Nicki Minaj Talk on The TL.. Is Boring Shit
— Mpumelelo Msomi (@Unclebucs) April 12, 2018
Nicki Minaj out here playing the victim?
— Randall Sterling (@i_Rock_23s) April 12, 2018
OVER Nicki Minaj!! Please go back into hiding.!
— Chelsea A (@_chelseaabrams) April 12, 2018
Lmfaooooooo Nicki Minaj is fucking garbage
— Stephen B. Smith (@ThaBlackPope) April 12, 2018
Nicki Minaj and Cardi B need to sit down one on one with no cameras or handlers around. Let them solve the puzzle alone. We don't need no more petty beefs. Fix it. #NickiDay pic.twitter.com/kzPyv8Aa34
— Kevin Simmons (@TheSkorpion) April 12, 2018
Nicki Minaj Is A Bully Honestly
— Nat ?? (@novaahcaane) April 12, 2018
Well I'm getting off Twitter today because I know ain't no way y'all genuinely think these Nicki singles are that damn hard and I'm tired of seeing "Nicki Minaj" and "Cardi B" on my TL.
— Chay Glizzy (@chaymojay) April 12, 2018
@NICKIMINAJ you just Fuck up….you want a Cardi B War to stay relevant.SMH……you New shit is wack ?.Real shit your friends will say Different.
— speechless (@crownprodigy666) April 12, 2018
I swear some of y’all be dick riding Nicki Minaj like she’s cutting you a check !
— Semi Sweet ??❤ (@jadalonnette) April 12, 2018
nicki minaj is out here crying on the radio like cardi b snatched her chain on some deebo shit
— kenny ♨️ (@phillycustoms) April 12, 2018
What did she want Cardi to say? “Oh my god I love Nicki Minaj! She’s been my idol! The reason I started rapping” ???
— Bria (@briasinterIde) April 12, 2018
"I have never seen her show me genuine love in an interview. I can just imagine how many girls wish they could of been on a song with Nicki Minaj." -Nicki
Nicki really has no self awareness, this quote is insane. ????????♂️??♂️??♂️??♂️??♂️
— Ahmed/Broke Bobby Axelrod (@big_business_) April 12, 2018