[3][4] "Chun-Li", which takes its name from the Street Fighter character of the same name,[5] was released alongside the buzz single "Barbie Tingz" as a part of Minaj's upcoming fourth studio album Queen (2018) and made available for streaming and digital download on April 12 by Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records.

According to him, Minaj wanted to deliver the type of "boom-bap" flavored beats that were reminiscent of the New York City hip hop scene during the 1980s and 1990s.

The structural composition of the song primarily revolves around the intricate technique of slapping, various percussive instruments, and a minimalist arrangement of soundbeads that are also multilayered with an extensive orchestration of recurrent keyboard synths.

[6] Lyrically, Minaj "rails" (criticizes) her online detractors and alludes to the negative circulation and press surrounding the track.

In the visual, Minaj recites the lyrics of the song while posing on a couch, but relinquishes control of her phone for a couple of runway-like shots.

[20][21][22] Bianca Gracie of Billboard said "Minaj sounds cocky in the best way […] she resurrects her Nicki the Ninja alter-ego by assassinating the horn-driven beat with her lyrical wordplay, switching accents with ease.

"[24] John Kennedy from XXL said the song is "open enough for Nicki [Minaj] to get her bars off à la her mixtape days.

"[6] Maeve McDermott of USA Today said, "Chun-Li sees Nicki out for blood, with the track named after a Street Fighter character who seeks revenge after her father's murder."

It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on July 30, 2018 for 1 million equivalent units moved.

[32] American rappers Juelz Santana,[33] BlocBoy JB,[34] and Baby Soulja[35] recorded their own freestyles over the song's beat.