Shorter, faster snippets of songs are more compatible with the fast-paced nature of social media content.
While the original Starships was a diamond-certified success in the U.S., Nicki Minaj has famously distanced herself from the track in recent years, even calling it "stupid" and refusing to perform it [11, 14]. However, the internet has given the song a second life through unauthorized and independent remixes. Starships Sped Up - (Hardstyle)
A 4K visualizer version on YouTube and SoundCloud that highlights the song's role in gym culture [3, 6]. Shorter, faster snippets of songs are more compatible
Released in 2022, this is perhaps the most popular rendition on Spotify and YouTube, known for its clean production and aggressive drops [1, 5]. A 4K visualizer version on YouTube and SoundCloud
The "Sped Up" movement—often associated with "Nightcore"—originally focused on pitch-shifting vocals to sound higher and faster. In the context of Hardstyle, this serves a functional purpose:
Despite the original artist's personal feelings toward the track, the "Hardstyle Sped Up" versions of "Starships" prove that a strong melody can be endlessly repurposed for new audiences and entirely different settings—shifting from the beach party to the squat rack.
Remixers like SICK LEGEND and FAST BASSTON have taken the core melody and cranked up the intensity [5, 7]. By increasing the BPM and layering in the signature distorted "kick" of Hardstyle, these artists have bridged the gap between 125 BPM dance-pop and the aggressive, high-energy world of modern hard dance [1, 10]. Why the "Sped Up" Trend?