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GET TO KNOW: JAEL

FEATURES - MUSIC - GET TO KNOW

THURSDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 2025

WORDS BY DARNELL RICHARDS

ARE WE ALL LOST IN THE JUNGLE? The UK has seen a gradual shift in mainstream attitudes towards garage and jungle, with both genres increasingly absorbed into the wider global music landscape. Genres which were once largely underground, yet holding deep cultural significance to the UK and its niche music community. Artists like PinkPantheress, Fred again.., and Kettama have shown these genres mass appeal and boundary-pushing potential when Pop and the “underground” are mixed right. 

 

Bold and brash are two words that describe JAEL, who stands as a star in this underground scene, bridging the gap between soul, funk, and UKG. The Molculaan and Dutch prodigy is redefining versatility in music; he is far more than a producer or DJ. As a gifted multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, he has been rapidly rising to prominence, capturing attention with his distinctive artistry. 

 

The moment that propelled him onto the global stage came with the release of his 2024 ‘Nancy Junglist’, an electrifying jungle rework of Sister Nancy’s legendary ‘Bam Bam’. Yet, his rise was far from overnight; he had been dropping tracks and remixes on SoundCloud for nearly a decade before the world caught on. The enigma of JAEL is his range as an artist, with his 2021 project Half as Much following a traditional mix of soul, funk and R&B. However, with the drop of 2023’s ‘Each Other’ with SIROJ, there was a significant shift in his sound and creative direction that took a more fluid and techno-influenced sound with hints of soul. 


With JAEL recently selected for the remix project celebrating the 10th anniversary of electro legend Fatima Yamaha’s 2015 classic ‘What’s a Girl to Do?’, plus his headline show at Colour Factory that took place earlier this month, he stands to demonstrate how true versatility and musical prowess rise above an era where TikTok drives much of today’s musical sound.

 Fatima Yamaha is a major name in the European techno and house scene. How did it feel to remix such an iconic track like “What’s a Girl To Do?” and reinterpret it through your own blend of soul, gospel, and Moluccan influences?

It really started with my musical training at around 12, learning how to properly listen to and analyse music. I was lucky to have a family that shared cassette tapes and CDs of the latest House, Garage, and Bass with me. That’s when I developed a unique way of listening, breaking down a track by separating each instrument and focusing on every element. I’d replay songs 15–20 times just to absorb the full production. So when I got the chance to remix such a big track, it felt like an honour, and I knew straight away it had to be a Garage remix. 

For someone discovering your music for the first time, how would you describe your sound in just three words?

Soulful, Deep, Direct.

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Your performances often combine live instrumentation with DJing and vocals, like your Rap Fantasy Boiler Room set in 2022, creating something intimate and high energy. How do you craft a set that connects with audiences on both a musical and emotional level?
I always aim to create a storyline in my sets, something that builds and takes people to a real climax. I freestyle a lot, which makes the process challenging but exciting. To prepare, I research which songs are popular in the city I’m playing in and think about how I can remix them or add creative wordplay. Musically, I also plan segments that blend different styles and sounds in a way that flows naturally.
Your identity as both Moluccan and Dutch is such a unique and powerful part of your artistry. How has that dual heritage shaped your sound, and what does it mean to you to represent that cultural blend in your music?
Growing up in a Moluccan, churchgoing family, music was always present, from gospel to traditional Moluccan melodies. I was constantly surrounded by rhythm and harmony, fascinated by how instruments worked and how voices blended. The soulful, distinctive melodies from Maluku are where I first found my groove and the soul in my music.
You’ve mentioned growing up surrounded by soul, funk, and gospel music through your parents’ vinyl collection. If you were stranded on a desert island with only five albums on your MP3 player, which ones would you choose and why?

D’Angelo – Voodoo (2000) 

This album shaped my entire perspective on music. He’s my mentor and biggest inspiration. D’Angelo taught me all the funk and groove I needed. 

 

Usher – 8701 (2001) 

I used to sing along to every track before I even spoke English, mimicking the vocals and studying the techniques. I saw him live in Rotterdam in 2001, and he became one of my biggest influences. 

 

Freddie Joachim – Midway (2005) 

An absolute beat-making masterpiece. I had this on repeat while doing homework, and it brought me so much joy and focus. Freddie Joachim’s sound heavily inspired me when I was making boom bap beats. 

 

Casiopea – Crosspoint (1981) 

This takes me back to my dad playing music around the house and jamming on his congas. Pure Japanese funk and City Pop, timeless vibes. I still get goosebumps every time I hear it.

 

MJ Cole – Sincere (Deluxe) (2000) 

Pure nostalgia. To me, the best Garage and 2-Step record ever. MJ Cole showed me what truly groovy Garage and 2-Step sound like. I’m glad I grew up with this album; it’s full of funk, soul, and groove.

Over a decade ago, you released “Lovelude & Floatin’” on SoundCloud, a track that leaned into R&B, funk, and soul. Since then, your sound has evolved toward garage, drum & bass, and techno influences, especially with projects like 2025’s “Motion Sickness.” What inspired this musical transformation, and how do you view your growth as a producer since those early days? 
When I was 14, I started deejaying and producing genres like House, Garage, Grime, Jungle, and Bass music. In 2024, I hit a bit of an identity crisis and wasn’t sure what direction to take creatively. After some reflection, I decided to return to my roots and reconnect with the sounds that first inspired me. Within a week or two, I found my groove again, and that spark completely reignited my excitement for this next chapter. 
Touring the world and constantly creating can take a toll; you’ve been everywhere from New York to South Africa, Amsterdam to New Zealand. What helps you protect your peace and keep your creative energy flowing through it all?
I try to rest as much as I can and look for activities that keep me inspired. Even in busy, crowded spaces, I often find creative sparks; it really depends on how I feel in the moment. Travelling can be exhausting at times, but I always do my best to stay balanced and protect my energy wherever I go.
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What’s one unexpected or funny moment from life on the road that still makes you laugh?
I showed up to the airport five hours early for a flight from Seattle to Las Vegas, where I was opening for DJ Peewee. Thinking I had plenty of time, I grabbed a meal and took a quick nap at the gate with my alarm set. When I woke up, the plane had already left without me! I immediately booked another flight and arrived in Vegas just an hour before my set, ending up on stage only five minutes before going on. It was one of the most stressful moments ever, but now I can definitely laugh about it.
As a member of Soulection, you’ve been part of a global movement that celebrates creativity, diversity, and genre-blending. How has being part of that community influenced your approach to collaboration, and what have you learned from working with artists from different musical and cultural backgrounds?
 
Being part of Soulection is something I truly cherish. It’s more than just sharing music; it’s a real community, a family. Collaborating with artists from all over the world feels like an exchange of energy; everyone brings their own culture and background, yet we all speak the same universal language: music.
Across your remixes from “Nancy Junglist” to your Aaliyah – Rock the Float” reinterpretation, you merge live instrumentation, soulful vocals, and electronic textures. Can you walk us through your creative process when building these remixes and how you decide which elements to highlight? 
My first step is always creating a groove that feels unique enough to build around, then finding a theme, whether a chord progression, lead synth, bassline, or any element that complements the vocals. I’m always searching for that special touch that gives a track its signature sound, like an unusual drum pattern, unexpected chord changes, vocal chops, or catchy licks. Working around vocals is something I really enjoy; I can spend hours reshaping the direction of existing tracks or reimagining my own.
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Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring DJs or artists who are just starting and trying to find their own sound?
Keep going until you find something that truly makes your heart happy, and don’t stop. The right thing will come to you in time, so try not to get caught up in what’s hot or what’s not. Social media can be a really distracting space that pulls you away from your goals, so stay grounded, keep practising your passion, and never lose sight of your original vision.
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