Hailing from the Netherlands, Giovanni Jaël Jano—professionally known as JAEL—is a multifaceted Moluccan recording artist, producer, DJ and vocalist. Rooted in a rich musical upbringing that spans Moluccan folk, Gospel, Soul and electronic music, JAEL effortlessly channels this diverse heritage into a sound that is simultaneously bold, emotive and dancefloor-ready. Widely renown for his genre-blurring productions and high-energy performances, the multi-hyphenate successfully fuses DJing, live instrumentation and soulful vocals to create captivating shows. His work demonstrates both technical mastery and emotional depth, bridging cultural influences and modern electronic sensibilities.
Few electronic tracks have endured quite like Fatima Yamaha’s iconic “What’s A Girl To Do”. Released over two decades ago, the track quietly built a devoted following before its 2015 reissue via Dekmantel Records propelled it into the global electronic ether, earning top spot on Resident Advisor’s ‘Track of the Year’ list. Now, a curated set of official remixes has given the track new life, bridging generations of Dutch talent. Among them, JAEL delivers a high-energy club-ready take, embedding distorted vocals within fast-paced garage rhythms and joyful drops, solidifying his reputation as a dynamic force in contemporary electronic music.
We caught up with JAEL to chat about his recent “What’s A Girl To Do” remix and his career so far—as well as asking him to curate his own personal mixtape…
How’s 2025 treated you so far?
JAEL: It’s been an incredible journey so far! I’ve had the chance to play some amazing shows and enjoy a really special festival season. On top of that, I released my EP Motion Sickness, dropped my single “Quebra A Cama” featuring MC GW, and shared my remix of Fatima Yamaha’s classic “What’s A Girl To Do”. It’s been such an exciting time creatively, and I feel grateful for the response so far.
Can you tell us about your first memories of music growing up in a Moluccan household?
JAEL: Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mother’s side of the family had a huge influence on me. From singing in church to big jam sessions at my grandparents’ house where everyone joined in. All of my mom’s siblings sing or play instruments, so I was surrounded by music from the time I was a baby. My dad brought another layer to it. He’s a true music lover with amazing taste. He has a big vinyl collection and would play everything loud at home and play the conga, so I grew up soaking in Soul, Funk, Jazz, Gospel, House, Hip Hop, and R&B.
Family gatherings were always filled with music from the Maluku islands, which was just as important to my upbringing. In our culture, so much of our history is passed down orally rather than written in books, so those rhythms and harmonies are in my DNA. They’ve shaped who I am as an artist today, and I carry them into the music I make now.
In 2010, my parents took me and my siblings back home to Maluku for the very first time. It was such a powerful, spiritual experience, one that really connected me to my roots. While I was there, I immersed myself in the local music and learned to play all the traditional instruments and dances in such a short time. That trip expanded my musical knowledge and broadened my palette.
How did you first connect with Soulection, and what impact has being part of that collective had on your career?
JAEL: I first connected with Soulection around 2011, when I started listening to Soulection Radio. It actually began with a mention on Twitter by Joe Kay. I saw a notification that said, “Now playing @JAEL,” with a link to KBeach Radio. Out of curiosity, I tuned in and, to my surprise, one of my beats was playing. That moment drew me in, and I kept listening because the show was full of incredible tracks. Eventually, I got hooked on the whole vibe and later reached out to the team. Not long after, we met in person for the first time.
Being part of Soulection has had a huge impact on me. It gave me a lot of inspiration and the freedom to really explore who I am musically. The collective has always encouraged “thinking outside the box,” and that mindset helped me grow not only as a producer but also as a singer, musician, and DJ. It opened up new ways of looking at creativity and shaped my path as an artist.
Your new remix of “What’s A Girl To Do” is wicked. How did it come about and what drew you to remixing this classic?
JAEL: Thank you! I’m really happy with how the remix turned out. I actually heard the original song years ago and had almost forgotten about it, but then last year my manager texted me saying that Fatima Yamaha’s team wanted me to do a JAEL remix. That was such a crazy and exciting thing to hear.
Right away, I knew I wanted to give it a Garage twist. Once I had a playable demo, I started testing it out at my shows, and the reaction was wild! The crowds went absolutely nuts every time. That energy gave me so much motivation to finish it and get it out into the world.
What do you hope listeners take away from your version of “What’s A Girl To Do” that they might not have felt in the original?
JAEL: With my remix, I really wanted to share my love for Garage and the UK scene in general. I grew up listening to speed garage, grime, jungle, and drum & bass, and this project felt like the perfect opportunity to tap back into that energy. In a way, it’s me reconnecting with my younger self. The kid who first fell in love with music and got inspired to start this journey. I hope listeners can feel that passion and nostalgia, while also experiencing it in a fresh new way.
What have the crowd reactions been like so far for the remix? Any key moments?
JAEL: The reactions have been unreal! There are three moments that really stand out to me. The first was during my all-nighter at Village Underground in London. It was the first time I played the remix at a headline show, and the energy was just crazy. The second was opening for Sammy Virji at the O2 Brixton, also in London. It was completely sold out and the crowd went absolutely wild when the track dropped. And the third was at Paradise City Festival in Perk, Belgium. From the very first notes of that iconic synth line, the crowd screamed and sang along so loud, it gave me goosebumps. Those are moments I’ll truly cherish forever.
What’s next for JAEL?
JAEL: I’ve been working on a little project that I’m very excited about! It’s coming out next month. I’ve actually been sneaking it into some of my recent sets, so if you’ve caught me live, you’ve probably already had a taste without realising it. I can’t share too much just yet, but definitely stay tuned for more info!
N’n’G – “Right Before My Eyes (The Remix Feat. MC Neat)“
“This track is an absolute 2-step classic. I remember hearing it when I was about 10 years old, and it still gives me goosebumps today.”
Box Clever – “Talk To Me“
“Heard this one on the Speedfreaxx VOL. 2 mixed by DJ Van Bellen. This was the era for me that made me fall in love with 4×4 Garage.”
Artful Dodger Feat. Robbie Craig & Craig David – “Woman Trouble”
“I remember watching the music video on MTV, super nostalgic vibes. All Maluku people in the Netherlands love this one.”
DJ Zinc – “138 Trek“
“BANGER ALERT!!! It’s crazy to think that I listened to this when I was only 8/9 years old and it was one of my favourite tracks at that time. It still gives me the same feeling today. BIG SHOUT OUT TO DJ ZINC.”