Danish Europop group Aqua, best known for their 1997 hit 'Barbie Girl', have announced they are disbanding after three decades together. The band—comprising René Dif, Lene Nystrøm, and Søren Rasted—shared a farewell statement on Instagram, saying they have decided to 'close the chapter of AQUA as a live band'.
Formed in 1995, Aqua sold over 33 million records worldwide and became global icons with their debut album 'Aquarium'. 'Barbie Girl' earned two Grammy nominations and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time. The song also sparked a lawsuit from Mattel in the 2000s, which was dismissed with the judge advising the parties to 'chill'.
In their statement, the group explained: 'When you've been together for this long, you also learn when it's time to protect what you've created together. For us, this feels like the right moment to say goodbye, while the memories are still strong.' They thanked fans for the love and support over the years.
Aqua previously split in 2001 but reunited in 2007 for a greatest hits album. They continued touring until now, despite not releasing new music since 2011's 'Megalomania'. Original member Claus Norreen left in 2016. The band are the most successful Danish group of all time.
