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The song garnered positive reviews from critics, most of which complimented the song on its inspirational feeling and a stand-out track of the album. "Fly" was released to US rhythmic radio on August 30, 2011 as the eighth overall single from Minaj's debut.

The song was produced by J.R. Rotem, who has additionally worked with Britney Spears, Rick Ross and Leona Lewis. In an interview with MTV News, producer J.R. Rotem discussed the track, stating that it almost never made the cut for Pink Friday and was the last addition to the album after Minaj heard how inspirational it was. He stated, "Near the tail end of her project, I came into the studio and I had some tracks [for her]. That was one of the ones I was excited about. When I played it for her, she knew instantly: 'Yes, this is the record.' She connected with it immediately. I could just tell she was excited by it, which excited me." The demo version of the song featured a studio-vocalist that would have later been an uncredited vocalist on the track, however Minaj decided to ask Rihanna to do the track. Rotem reminisced on the moment, stating that he told Minaj "'That would be great, but getting Rihanna to do a hook for you is easier said than done.' I think that speaks to Nicki's star power. I said, 'Yeah, she's definitely first choice.'" "It took time because she was promoting her own album and traveling overseas. It happened, and I heard it when Nicki gave me the record and it really was one of those incredible things that was really a blessing. It manifested. She said she wanted it and it happened."

Scott Plagenhoef of Pitchfork Media complimented the song and how it made Pink Friday the record it is by stating, "but these tracks-- plus the Rihanna collaboration "Fly" and the solo ballad "Save Me"-- are the best examples of what Pink Friday is rather than what many of us wanted it to be." Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone commented on the genre of choice and the toned-down sexiness, "Minaj aims for a Rihanna-style crossover approach, singing R&B choruses over electro floss and toning down her nasty side." Marc Hogan of Spin complimented the song's inspirational tone and that other cuts from the album, including "Fly", "have her charismatically colorful, larger-than-life personality all over them."

A music video for the song was shot the weekend of January 7, 2011 and directed by Sanaa Hamri. "Fly" is the second music video to be shot in a string of music videos Minaj announced to be shot for promotion, along with "Save Me" and "Girls Fall Like Dominoes". Minaj and Rihanna both shared behind the scenes photos of the music video on twitter, where Rihanna sported straight red hair and Minaj wore a curly black wig and a barbed pink dress. In an interview with E! Online, Minaj spoke briefly about the concept stating, "We're going to save the world in more ways than one with the video and that's all I can say about that." In an interview with BBC Radio's Tim Westwood, Minaj spoke very highly about the upcoming video, stating "The video is done. The 'Fly' video is a freakin' movie! Movie! Movie! Cinematic popcorn." In a recent blog from Minaj's website, She stated that the video for "Fly" has been pushed back, but it will be released soon.