Diljit Dosanjh Taps NLE Choppa For Resolute New Song ‘Muhammad Ali’

Punjabi pop and American hip-hop go toe to toe in Diljit Dosanjh’s new song “Muhammad Ali” featuring American rapper NLE Choppa.

It’s a story of glory soundtracked by booming bass and bellowing vocals from Dosanjh and NLE Choppa, who also worked with producers Da Honorable C.N.O.T.E and Rafael Devante. Dosanjh also brings in fellow Punjabi artist Chani Nattan, to add sharpness to the song about resilience and empowerment.

Released via Warner Music India, the song is described in a press release as an “urban pop anthem that’s both invigorating and motivational, encouraging listeners to dance, dream, and defy the odds.”

The song arrives on the back of Dosanjh’s sold-out Dil-luminati Tour spanning the United States and Canada, plus his recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Earlier, Dosanjh had teamed up with American artists including Saweetie for “Khutti” in March, Australian pop artist Sia on “Hass Hass” and Colombian artist Camilo on “Palpita” in October last year. On his Dil-luminati tour stop in Los Angeles earlier this month, Dosanjh also invited Saweetie on stage to perform “Khutti” together. A bulk of the collabs were set in motion after the Punjabi artist’s widely-watched performances at Coachella Festival in California in April 2023.

Now, with “Muhammad Ali,” Dosanjh claims to pack barbs as sharp as the American boxing legend with the Memphis-origin NLE Choppa, best known for songs like “Shotta Flow” in 2019.

Dosanjh said in a statement about the song, “‘Muhammad Ali’ celebrates the spirit of resilience and empowerment. Collaborating with NLE Choppa on this anthem has been incredibly inspiring. I’m thrilled to share another vibrant Punjabi sound with the world.”

NLE Choppa added in his statement, ”This collaboration with Diljit on ‘Muhammad Ali’ has been a true honor. Combining our styles to honor such an iconic figure has been a memorable journey. I’m eager for our Indian fans to make this track their own.”

There are more international collabs in the bank, waiting to be out. Dosanjh told Rolling Stone India in April, “These songs are all done and they’re going to keep coming out one by one. The first song with Sia is out, ‘Hass Hass,’ the song with Saweetie came next [‘Khutti’] and the one after that is the song with NLE Choppa and then the one with A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. These are singles and I tried collaborating with all these folks and the songs will keep coming out gradually.”

Watch the music video for ‘Muhammad Ali’ below