Since the announcement of Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday 2, fans have eagerly awaited its release, fueled by Nicki's promise that they would be "going to Gag City." This anticipation prompted her devoted "Barbz" fans to utilize AI creation tools, allowing them to bring their imaginative visions to life.

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US rapper Nicki Minaj accepts the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award onstage during the MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on August 28, 2022.

Creating Gag Ciy

Nicki Minaj's fans have embarked on the creation of a fictional city, employing artificial intelligence tools. Otaku Art reported that this fan-crafted metropolis incorporates elements reminiscent of the album's pink and dreamy aesthetic, mirroring the cover art of "Pink Friday 2," which made its debut on Friday.

The pop star's digital fan community seems to have employed generative AI to construct an imaginary city. They have been actively generating and circulating images of urban landscapes, all characterized by the distinctive pink and dreamy aesthetic found in the cover art of her recently released album.

Minaj and the Barbz coined the album's release as "Gag City." NBC News reported that his term, rooted in gay slang, signifies being so astounded that words fail to capture the experience. It's akin to the awe one might feel witnessing a remarkable outfit change or listening to an exceptional record.

Playfully, they joked about fictional characters and celebrities arriving in Gag City in anticipation of Minaj's album. Notably, one of the initial posts featured an image shared by a fan account depicting a pink plane labeled "Gagg City" soaring over an equally pink skyline.

Users on X delved into creating intricate narratives surrounding the inhabitants and government of Gag City. A depiction emerged of Barbz storming the Pink House, labeled by another user as the fandom's equivalent of January 6th.

While some may perceive Gag City as a utopia, an alternate perspective surfaced when an account presented an image of a benevolent Minaj distributing CDs of her album to underprivileged children "on the outskirts of Gag City," suggesting the presence of a class divide issue within the pink-hued society.

Barbz's Impact

Always quick to embrace a popular trend, TechCrunch reported that corporate accounts also jumped on the Gag City bandwagon. Chili's shared an image depicting rose-colored smoke emanating from its restaurant, prompting questions about whether air pollution exists in Gag City.

Notably, Wheat Thins, Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin' Donuts, Pizza Hut, Red Lobster, Oreo, Bing, the Empire State Building, and numerous others contributed their interpretations of Gag City.

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While memes often lose their charm when corporate entities adopt them, transforming once-enjoyable jokes into marketing schemes, the utilization of AI-generated images introduces its own set of ethical concerns.

On the flip side, the phenomenon serves as a free promotion for Minaj. As a devoted Barb with a history of running a stan account for "Pink Friday" during adolescence, I see it as a positive outcome.

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