Known for her expressive vocals and genre-spanning adaptability, Jaki Nelson continues to shape a distinctive path in electronic music. Her latest release, a collaboration with producer Macca Grills, arrives in the form of ‘Movin’ Up’—a House-driven track built on pumping piano, crisp production, and a confident vocal performance.
Photo credit: Jaki Nelson – Official
With the track already earning notable Spotify placements, Nelson reflects on the creative process behind the song, the message at its core, and how she brings consistency to her voice across multiple styles.
In this conversation, Jaki Nelson opens up about the collaboration with Macca Grills, her vocal approach, and what’s next on her horizon.
EG: Hi Jaki, welcome to EG! How are you?
Jaki Nelson: I’m great! Just woke up to find out that ‘Movin’ Up’ just got another massive Spotify playlist spot. I’m honestly blown away by the reaction to this track, especially since it’s a 100% indie release.
EG: To start, can you share how the collaboration with Macca Grills on ‘Movin’ Up’ first came about?
Jaki Nelson: Macca reached out to me a while back with the bones of the track, and I was instantly intrigued. The energy was there from the jump, and I knew I wanted to be part of it.
EG: What was your initial reaction when you heard the instrumental for the track?
Jaki Nelson: When I first heard it, that pumping piano line hit me immediately—it felt like a classic house banger, right out of the gate.
EG: How would you describe the vocal tone and delivery you aimed for on this release?
Jaki Nelson: I wrote this track right around when those John Summit and Hayla tracks were really hitting, and I was so inspired by that classic powerhouse sound. It’s a vocal style I’ve loved to do for a long time, and it felt amazing to lean into it in full force.
“It’s a reminder that we are the ones shaping things—and that’s something worth dancing about”
EG: Was there a specific feeling or message you wanted your vocals to convey in ‘Movin’ Up’?
Jaki Nelson: At the time, I was riding a wave of back-to-back career highs, so the lyrics poured out of me. I loved playing with the double meaning of ‘Movin’ Up’—levelling up in life and celebrating that same momentum on the dancefloor. That feeling of elevation was everything.
EG: There’s a strong blend of expressive and punchy vocal lines here—how did you develop those layers?
Jaki Nelson: I threw quite a lot of ideas at Macca, and he organized them in such a cool way. Then we had kind of an ongoing back-and-forth on the track for months where I’d hear it, re-record something with a few tweaks, send it back, rinse and repeat until we really ironed everything out together.
EG: How did you and Macca Grills communicate or collaborate during the production process? Did you face any challenges?
Jaki Nelson: That “move” riff was damn near impossible! I would record it, rerecord it, record it again a month later, and again another month later. Macca was incredibly patient with me being a total perfectionist.
EG: Is there a part of the track that you think listeners will connect with most?
Jaki Nelson: I hope that people really connect with the line “We’re the movers and the shakers now.” It’s such an old-timey phrase to me, but the word “now” flips it into something present and alive. It’s a reminder that we are the ones shaping things, and that’s something worth dancing about.
“I’m honestly blown away by the reaction to this track”
EG: You’ve worked across a wide range of genres—how do you maintain a strong vocal identity while adapting to such variety?
Jaki Nelson: I’ve always thought of my voice like a fingerprint—it’s mine no matter where I take it. Whether I’m singing over house, techno, pop, or something more niche, I try to anchor it in emotional honesty. I also love playing with texture and double meaning—that’s how I keep it versatile but still me.
EG: Finally, can you share what’s coming up next? Any upcoming performances or new music on the way?
Jaki Nelson: Absolutely—new music is on the way! Keep an eye out for ‘In Too Deep’ dropping next month, and I’ve been cooking up some fresh DJ sets I can’t wait to take out into the world.
Jaki Nelson’s ‘Movin’ Up’ is out now on DistroKid. Stream and download here.
Follow Jaki Nelson: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
