Danish pop group Aqua, best known for their global hit 'Barbie Girl', have announced they are disbanding after 30 years. The band members—René Dif, Lene Nystrøm, and Søren Rasted—shared the news on Instagram, saying they have decided to 'close the chapter' of Aqua as a live band to protect their legacy.
Formed in 1995, Aqua sold over 33 million records worldwide. Their debut album 'Aquarium' (1997) made them international stars. 'Barbie Girl' earned two Grammy nominations and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time, according to the Official Charts. The song also led to a lawsuit from Mattel in the 2000s, which was dismissed with the judge advising the parties to 'chill'.
In a 2023 interview, Søren Rasted said the lawsuit was 'a good advertisement' for the band. Mattel later licensed the song for the 2023 'Barbie' film and a Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice track. Aqua performed at Eurovision 2001 and briefly split in 2002 before reuniting in 2007. Original member Claus Norreen left in 2016. The group's last album was 2011's 'Megalomania'.
In their farewell statement, the band expressed gratitude to fans, saying: 'Thank you for the love, the energy, the support, and for all the moments we’ve shared together.' They emphasised that the decision was made while 'the love for the music, the story, and each other remains intact'.
