Bahrain-based rapper Richmond Shaw’s collaboration with Indian singing sensation Priyanka Negi has won over the hearts of music lovers around the world and their video has notched more than a million views on YouTube.

Kala Joda, which translates to black dress, is a Punjabi pop, reggaeton-style song aimed at spreading the message of understanding; acceptance and fun, coproduced by Richmond, who goes by the stage name Hotline, and India’s night life king, DJ Aquib Khan.

It has already crossed 1,980,114 views on YouTube since its release last week on https://youtu.be/6vpRapH7fjI and on the Indian Idol season four finalist’s channel priyankanegimusic.

The musical maestros are thrilled with the positive feedback and rave reviews from fans, especially as this is Priyanka’s first original single.

“I was super excited before the release of this song and was quite nervous too,” said Priyanka who has won several awards for her singing prowess and has her voice featured in four Bollywood films. “The overwhelming love by the audience has boosted my confidence and encouraged me enough to release some uncommon tracks like Kala Joda in the coming future.

“This is a fun song where a girl is wearing a black dress and catching the attention of the guy she likes. A black dress is traditionally associated with class and sensuality. Those are the two emotions of my song.

“I want to touch hearts everywhere through my music without any language or cultural barrier.”

The video was filmed partly by United White Flag in Dubai and in India by Ayush Das. The music was provided by Kashi Kashyap and the track was penned by Renuka Negi and KD Sharma. According to Hotline, the collaboration came about from the sheer will and desire to make great music.

“I’d recently produced a Bollywood type instrumental for an artist via social media and shortly after, I begin receiving tons of suggestions,” said the 34-year-old former soldier from the US state of Michigan who works in Bahrain as an international liaison and concept design specialist ranging from private to the government and royal sectors. “As I began to research ideas, I saw that not only did Priyanka’s design match but so did her time and energy. Once management and artist spoke, it was a wrap! It was just a matter of when.”

Priyanka is a Bollywood playback singer and a live wire performer who has done more than 1,500 plus events worldwide.  She has also won an award at Events & Experiential Management Association (EEMA) for being the best performer of the country as well as received a Pioneer of India award and a Top 10 award at an international singing competition called ASIAN WAVE held in Shanghai, China. Hotline hopes this song will be used as an inspirational example for future artist to see what they can do when they are committed to an idea.

The duo is already planning another track together and Priyanka has high hopes for it too due to her confidence in Hotlines abilities.

 She said: “Hotline is a multi-talented artist who knows how to sing, rap, dance and act. He is versatile and brings out the real emotions in front of the camera.

“And even though he is from a different country, culture and speaks a different language, the way he has justified the Punjabi pop song in terms of producing the music and rapping at the same time is just phenomenal.”

Hotline, who produces and performs, is known for his inspiring and insightful music that unites people through soulful beats and sounds. His album, Brothers in Bars, for example, features collaborations from artists around the world, many of whom also have a military background. He linked up with artists from Africa, Iran, Brazil and Germany. His music has also crossed oceans. His track, Amnesia, for example, which features popular Brazilian group Mixtape, grew in popularity in South America. He has also brushed shoulders with music greats such as Oscar award winners 3-6 Mafia, Cassidy and Bone Crusher. He released a single with hip hop legend Kurtis Blow and has been featured on several official movie soundtracks that featured greats such as 2Pac, 50 Cent, Eminem, Busta Rhymes, and Fat Joe.

Priyanka’s is now working on another single, which she plans to shoot in India, and says it will be for all the beautiful and strong women in the world. 

Hotline believes she always hits the right notes with her fans due to her authenticity and purity when it comes to making music and staying true to her sound.

To find out more follow their vibes @priyankanegiofficial and @hotlinetime on Instagram.