Nicki Minaj Fans Are Using AI To Create ‘Gag City’—A Vibrant Pink World Inspired By Her New Album

Topline

Nicki Minaj is set to release her new album “Pink Friday 2” this week, and her fans are using artificial intelligence to launch their own marketing campaign, creating a fake pink-colored world called “gag city” that’s captured the attention of brands, celebrities and Minaj herself.

Key Facts

Tangent

A large number of brands have jumped on the “gag city” trend. Spotify joked on X that “gag city” is its newest “sound town”—a reference to a new feature included in this year’s edition of Spotify Wrapped, in which users were assigned a city that best corresponded to their music taste. Some users joked about the seemingly random location Spotify chose for “gag city,” which appears to be in Idaho. Converse declared that its pink shoes are the official footwear of “gag city.” Chips Ahoy posted on X: “peep my bio #GAGCITY,” alerting fans that it changed its bio to a Minaj lyric. In response to one user who made an AI image of a pink Chili’s in “gag city,” the company posted on X that Chili’s is for the “Barbz,” the name for Minaj’s fanbase. Trident Gum posted a picture on X of its bright pink gum, stating: “Pack your bags BARBZ… it’s almost time to head to #GagCity.” Other companies have posted that they have headquarters located in “gag city,” including Genius, Netflix, Complex and Wheat Thins.

Surprising Fact

“Gag city” isn’t the first pop-star related trend companies have tried to capitalize on for social media clout. When a Taylor Swift fan account noted the singer was spotted eating chicken with “ketchup and seemingly ranch” at a Kansas City Chiefs game in September, the strange phrasing instantly became a viral meme, partly thanks to companies that had jumped on the trend. The New York Mets, the Empire State Building, Merriam-Webster, Heinz and Hidden Valley Ranch all made their own viral “seemingly ranch” posts.

Key Background

Minaj is set to release “Pink Friday 2” on Friday, which she has marketed as a sequel to her 2010 debut album “Pink Friday.” “Pink Friday,” which spawned hits like “Super Bass” and “Moment 4 Life,” was known for its vibrant pink aesthetic, which Minaj’s cover for her upcoming album echoes. Minaj has said some of the songs on her new album are comparable to her hits from “Pink Friday,” including one song she described as having a “Super Bass vibe.” She has already released three songs from her upcoming project, including the No. 1 hit “Super Freaky Girl,” “Last Time I Saw You” and “Red Ruby da Sleeze.” “Pink Friday 2” will be Minaj’s first album release since 2018, when she released “Queen.”

Crucial Quote

“As we begin to prepare for landing, please make sure your tray tables are put back up & your seat belts are tightly fastened. The captain has activated the ‘no bathroom’ sign. If you look out the window, you’ll begin to see the beauty…clear waters, pink dolphins…#GagCity #PF2,” Minaj posted on X, prompting plenty of responses from fans of AI-generated “gag city” images featuring views from airplanes, tall buildings and dolphins.

Further Reading

Nicki Minaj Activates Barb Alert System in ‘Pink Friday 2’ Teaser: ‘Approaching #GagCity’ (Billboard)

Nicki Minaj Teases Lyrics, Promises That ‘Pink Friday 2’ Is ‘Beyond Anything I Could Have Imagined’ (Billboard)

How Powerful Is Taylor Swift? Her ‘Seemingly Ranch’ Condiment Choice Goes Viral—And Heinz And The Mets Snap Into Action (Forbes)