Inside Nora Fatehi and Jason Derulo's 'Snake'

International artist Jason Derulo and Bollywood star Nora Fatehi have joined forces for Snake, a dance anthem that blends Eastern and Western musical influences, reflecting the growing global crossover in the music industry.

According to Variety, the track, conceived by Fatehi and produced with the help of Tommy Brown, brings together the two artists' diverse talents. "Some collaborations can feel a little forced, whereas this one felt like… a hot knife through butter," Derulo said, describing the project as a natural fit.

Fatehi, a Toronto-born performer with a significant Bollywood career, sees Snake as a key step in her international ambitions. "I'm venturing into an international career right now, coming straight off of Bollywood, which is really difficult for Bollywood actors to do," she said.

The music video, filmed in Marrakesh and directed by Moroccan filmmaker Abderrafia El Abdioui, showcases a futuristic vision of Morocco. Indian choreographer Rajit Dev added a unique touch with a mix of belly dance and Bollywood-inspired moves. "We created a futuristic Morocco in the visuals," Fatehi said, adding that the production involved intense 15–16-hour workdays.

The video also saw Derulo stepping out of his comfort zone. "When I got to Morocco, Nora wanted to do some moves that I had never done before, which is kind of weird, because I've done everything," he said. Derulo embraced the cultural elements, donning traditional Moroccan jalabiyas and Indian kurtas designed by Manish Malhotra.

For Derulo, the project signals a return to high-production music videos, which he feels have declined in recent years. "I think in this day and age, music videos are dead, and especially where I'm from, in America, people aren't putting any emphasis on music videos," he said.

The collaboration comes as international artists increasingly look to global markets and cultural crossovers. Fatehi, who is preparing to release a solo track featuring a Britney Spears sample, sees the partnership as a model for global artistry. "If you have the platform, you have the fans, you have the music, you're able to dance, you have all the necessary elements to be a global artist. You should use that to your advantage," she said.

Derulo, meanwhile, is hosting the TikTok Live Awards in the UK and continuing his role as one of the world's most prominent pop and social media figures.