  We compute the $\sin(2\phi-\phi_{s})$ azimuthal asymmetry in the pion-nucleon
induced Drell-Yan process within transverse momentum dependent factorization.
We employ the holographic light-front pion wave functions to calculate its
leading-twist transverse momentum dependent parton distributions (TMDs). The
Boer-Mulders TMD of the pion is then convoluted with the transversity TMD of
the proton evaluated in a light-front quark-diquark model constructed with the
wave functions predicted by the soft-wall AdS/QCD to obtain the azimuthal
asymmetry in the Drell-Yan process. The gluon rescattering is pivotal to
predict nonzero pion Boer-Mulders TMD. We investigate the utility of a
nonperturbative SU$(3)$ gluon rescattering kernel going beyond the usual
approximation of perturbative U$(1)$ gluons. The holographic light-front QCD
approach provides a powerful tool for exploring the role of nonperturbative QCD
effects in the Drell-Yan process and may help to guide future experimental
measurements.
