Nicki Minaj is reflecting on the early 2010s as a defining era in pop culture, just as “Beauty and a Beat” surges back into the spotlight more than a decade after its release. The 2012 collaboration with Justin Bieber has climbed to No. 1 on Spotify’s Global Chart as of April 15, fueled by a renewed wave of streaming following Bieber’s Coachella performance.
Taking to X, Minaj reposted a clip from the original music video, pairing nostalgia with a pointed reflection on the era’s creative peak. “We didn’t know it then but this was the golden age for a certain generation,” she wrote. “Every song felt this big & magical. The writers, producers, artists, labels, everyone took this genuine, unquantifiable energy for granted. It’s a lesson on appreciating what you have before it’s gone.”
Released in October 2012 as part of Bieber’s Believe album, “Beauty and a Beat” debuted at No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100 before peaking at No. 5 following the release of its now-iconic video. The track, produced by Max Martin, became a staple of early 2010s pop, blending EDM-driven hooks with Minaj’s rapid-fire verse.
Its resurgence arrives amid a broader catalog boost for Bieber. Following his Coachella set, 22 of his songs appeared on Spotify’s Daily Global Chart, with “Beauty and a Beat” leading at 7.2 million streams in a single day. Tracks like “Sorry,” “Love Yourself,” and “What Do You Mean?” also returned to the upper tiers, reinforcing the lasting impact of his early-to-mid 2010s run.
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