Jaki Nelson isn’t your typical voice in the electronic scene – she’s a shapeshifter.
With a sound that moves from euphoric Trance to pounding Hypertechno, and a voice that cuts straight to the heart, Jaki has carved a space that’s all her own. We caught up with her fresh off a major milestone – earning a Diamond certification – to talk about her musical roots, emotional vocals, and the genre-defying journey that got her here.
T.H.E – Hi Jaki! How’s everything going right now?
Jaki Nelson – Everything’s going really well! One of my tracks just went Diamond-certified, which is absolutely surreal. It went Platinum last year and somehow just kept going. It’s taken on a life of its own – watching it grow has been wild.
T.H.E – Let’s rewind a bit – who first made you fall in love with music?
Jaki Nelson – Honestly, it started at home. My dad was a rock ’n’ roll guy in the ’70s and ’80s, so music was always playing around the house. Then my mom opened a music school, and that became my second home. But the moment things clicked for me was in high school when I found Kaskade’s Fire & Ice album. That’s when I realized, “Okay, I want to produce music, not just sing it.”
T.H.E – Your vocals feel incredibly emotional and raw. Who inspired how you deliver your voice?
Jaki Nelson – It wasn’t just one person. I kind of trained myself by listening to Spotify’s New Music Friday every week. I had this system – no looking at the artist or title until I felt what the song was about. If I couldn’t guess the title in a minute, I’d skip it. If I skipped for any other reason, I’d make myself explain why. That exercise taught me what makes a vocal stick. It shaped how I approach performance more than anything else.
T.H.E – You’ve touched everything from Trance to Hypertechno. What keeps you hooked on electronic music?
Jaki Nelson – It just makes me feel more. The way you can design entire sound worlds from a laptop – it’s limitless. It still blows my mind. That creative freedom makes me feel at home every single time I sit down to make music.
T.H.E – Outside of EDM, have other genres shaped your writing or production style?
Jaki Nelson – For sure. I’ve had a pretty mixed musical diet – Pop, Country, old-school R&B, even Italian Pop Opera. It all bleeds into how I write melodies or choose vocal phrasing. I think being raised around so many styles helps me keep things fresh and approach EDM from a unique place emotionally.
T.H.E – Is there a specific album that shifted how you see music production?
Jaki Nelson – Zedd’s Clarity. That album flows like a DJ set. One minute it’s dreamy and cinematic, then suddenly gritty and loud – and somehow, it works seamlessly. He even recycles melodies between songs. It’s genius. That album made me realize that music can be storytelling in motion.
T.H.E – Do you switch up influences based on the track, or stick to your core inspirations?
Jaki Nelson – I have core influences that ground me, but every genre carries its own emotion. Trance leans into longing and hope, Progressive House wants that anthemic, heartfelt vocal. I follow the energy of each song and match it with what I bring emotionally. But the emotional truth? That’s always consistent.
T.H.E – Your collaborations span a wide range of styles. How do you stay true to your vocal identity?
Jaki Nelson – Emotional honesty. That’s the anchor. I never try to fit in – I just try to tell the truth with my voice. No matter the BPM or genre, the vocal has to feel real. That’s what ties it all together.
T.H.E – Have any live shows inspired how you craft your own sets today?
Jaki Nelson – Oh, absolutely. I’m probably the worst person to go to shows with – I’ll stand there analyzing every transition, asking myself, “Why this song now? What’s the vibe?” Every show I see turns into a case study. I’m always learning from how others tell their stories live.
T.H.E – What’s inspiring your creativity right now?
Jaki Nelson – I’m obsessed with this new wave of melodic bass artists – Knock2, Rad Cat, ALLEYCVT. There’s this emotional depth in their sound, but it still hits hard. It’s fresh, innovative, and just really exciting creatively. That’s the soundspace I’m in right now.
As our conversation with Jaki Nelson wraps up, one thing’s clear – she’s an artist who refuses to stand still. Whether she’s exploring the edges of Melodic Dubstep or revisiting her Trance roots, everything she does comes from a place of truth and curiosity. Her voice is not only her instrument but also her emotional compass, guiding her across styles with fearless honesty.
So, what’s next for Jaki? While she didn’t drop any major spoilers, it’s safe to say more music, live shows, and bold collaborations are on the way. If you haven’t already, follow her across social platforms and keep an eye out – because Jaki Nelson’s next chapter is already in motion, and you won’t want to miss it.
Mia Brooks dives deep into the beats and rhythms of the music industry, covering everything from chart-topping albums to underground artists. With a passion for discovering new talent and exploring the stories behind the songs, Mia keeps readers updated on all things music.
