Music

To coincide with her mainstage performance at Dubai’s Untold Festival this weekend (Nov. 6-9), India-based global superstar Nora Fatehi has unveiled a brand new single — and she’s brought Jamaican dancehall-pop sensation Shenseea along for the ride.

Out Friday (Nov. 7) via 5 Junction and Warner Records, “What Do I Know” is an infectious, dancefloor-ready banger that blends subtle house influences with elements of Jamaican dancehall, courtesy of Shenseea’s show-stealing verse. Written by three-time Grammy nominee Justin Tranter, Fatehi’s new track plays on the dominant “I’m just a girl” social media meme to explore femininity, power and sensuality through a global pop lens. Her seductive timbre pairs well with the track’s sleek production, and Shenseea’s commanding presence doubles down on her global appeal post-“Shake It to the Max” and offers a nice contrast to both.

“What Do I Know” is also accompanied by an entertaining, Arrad-helmed music video, featuring scenes inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s iconic rendition of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” from 1953’s Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. “I definitely learned to be more expressive and animated,” Shenseea tells Billboard of the music video shoot. “I haven’t fully tapped into that side yet, but I think it’s time now.”

Beyond Dubai’s Untold Festival, Fatehi is set to make her U.S. television debut with the first live performance of “What Do I Know,” alongside Shenseea, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. A Bollywood star turned renowned multi-hyphenate, 2025 has been a busy year for Fatehi. In March, she starred in and provided songs for the soundtrack of Be Happy, an Indian Hindi-language dance drama from Amazon Prime, and, by May, she appeared in Netflix’s The Royals rom-com series.

On the music side of things, Fatehi connected with Jason Derulo for “Snake” at the top of the year, and by April, she was announced as one of the first signees to 5 Junction Records — a joint venture label under Warner Music Group aiming to serve as “a pipeline for South Asian artists to reach North American listeners.”

“South Asian music is having its moment, and Nora Fatehi is a global sensation bringing together sounds from India, the Middle East, and contemporary pop,” 5 Junction Records co-founder Anjula Acharia says in a statement. “With over 46 million fans already behind her, we’re now taking Nora and her sound from India to the world.”

Below, Nora Fatehi dishes on her new single and what else fans can expect from them as they enter 2026.

What inspired “What Do I Know (Just A Girl)”? What message did you want to get across with this song?

All the credit goes to our iconic writer Justin Tranter and producers Max Martin and Robyn. It’s a brilliant concept of a song, and when I first heard it, all I could think of was how so many girls would be able to relate to the idea of being misunderstood, undervalued and unappreciated. It’s a cheeky way of telling the world that we play the game wisely, but with our own rules, of course. We know what we bring to the table, and our power is not to be taken for granted. 

Why did Shenseea feel like the right collaborator for this song?

I love Shenseea as an artist and have been following and supporting her work for years! I wanted a collaboration that reflected my global multicultural appeal, and I feel Shenseea, as a Jamaican artist, brings just that. Her style adds the extra spice; she embodies confidence, edge and femininity. She’s also someone who’s broken barriers in her own lane, just like I’ve had to do in mine. I’ve always wanted to incorporate dancehall elements into my music, and being able to have her dancehall touch [on] a pop record like “What Do I Know (Just A Girl)” feels so unique. 

What can fans expect from your first televised performance of the song?

I’m so excited to perform this song on TV for the first time! Fans can expect a lot of dancing, glam and drama. We are currently preparing the entire concept. But I’m definitely leaning into some amazing choreography and, of course, some fun moments with Shenseea.

What was the music video shoot like?

We had a blast shooting the video. It was a hectic two days, but the sequences were worth i,t and I had the chance to work with some of the best in the business. One of my favourite choreographers, JaQuel Knight, did the dance choreography, and Arrad, known for some of the coolest pop and hip-hop music videos, directed the project. My favourite part was the airplane sequence. I’ve always wanted to add a bit of comedy in my music videos, and we did just that.

Why do you feel this song “marks the start of your pop girl era?”

With “What Do I Know (Just A Girl),” I’m embracing a sound, a style and an attitude that reflects everything I’ve learned from my journey so far. Bollywood, Afrobeat, Arabic influences, Western pop, all of these worlds make me who I am as an artist today, and in my new era, these worlds are all fused into one unapologetic expression. It’s not about fitting in; it’s about creating my own lane in the pop world.

This era is bold, glamorous and empowering. It’s about celebrating femininity while being powerful, sexy and strong. I’ve always loved artists who could command a global stage like Beyoncé, Rihanna and Shakira. I’m finally stepping into that energy with my own flavor. This is me saying: I’m here. I’m not just a dancer, not just an actress, but also I’m a global pop girl.

How did you go about fusing dancehall and pop on this track?

The track is as pop as it can get, which I love! However, the addition of Shenseea takes the track to another level. The fusion happens so subtly and beautifully through her delivery in the second verse. 

For you, what is the importance of global collaborations and working with artists across genres?

They open up so many creative doors and allow artists to blend cultures, sounds, and emotions in a way that speaks to people everywhere. When I work with artists from different parts of the world or from different genres, it’s not just about making a song — it’s about creating a fusion of energy, rhythm, and stories.

Music and dance have no language barrier, and I truly believe collaboration helps us celebrate that universality. It’s how we grow as artists, by learning from each other’s influences, experimenting with new styles, and building bridges between audiences. It’s the most beautiful part of being in the global entertainment space.

Based on “What Do I Know (Just A Girl)” and “Snake,” when can fans expect a full project from you?  

I’m currently working on my EP for 2026, and my fans expect to see a different side of me as an artist. I’m experimenting with my sound more than ever and gearing up to drop some dance bangers for the summer.