How Jason Derulo and Nora Fatehi’s Cross-Cultural Single ‘Snake’ Came Together: ‘Like a Hot Knife Through Butter’

variety.com:

Naman Ramachandran Multi-hyphenate performer Nora Fatehi has joined forces with international hitmaker Jason Derulo for “Snake,” a boundary-pushing dance anthem that blends Eastern and Western influences.

The track, which originated from Fatehi’s creative vision and was brought to Derulo through producer Tommy Brown, showcases both artists’ versatility while pushing genre boundaries. “Some collaborations can feel a little forces whereas this one felt like…a hot knife through butter,” Derulo explains. “It felt like it was right up my alley.” For Fatehi, the process was more intricate. “I was trying to figure out how to mix three different cultures into one project and to make it global,” she says. “We wanted a hook that repeats itself, very easy to memorize.” The accompanying music video, helmed by Moroccan director Abderrafia El Abdioui, and choreographed by India’s Rajit Dev, was filmed against the backdrop of Marrakesh’s striking landscapes.

The production, which Fatehi also produced, brought together an international crew working 15-16 hour days to realize their ambitious vision. “We created a futuristic Morocco in the visuals,” Fatehi says.

Despite the production challenges, she embraced the process: “I love the panic, the anxiety, because I know that with anxiety, something amazing is about to happen.” The collaboration pushed both artists into new creative territory, particularly in the dance sequences.