Radio presenter and all-round cool girl, Jyoty Singh had zero intentions of becoming a DJ—and yet, she's one of the hottest names in music right now. It all started eight years ago when she responded to requests to mix at live shows after building a solid fanbase through her show on Rinse FM. One thing led to another, and then she found herself on the decks. Her first show may have fell flat, but that didn't stop her. Fuelled by this new-found passion, Singh decided to equip herself with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in this field—and she did. Enter JYOTY, the stage name Singh now goes by, a TikTok-viral Boiler Room phenomenon and internationally celebrated DJ whose genre-bending sets break new ground in electronic music and global club culture.
The 35-year-old Dutch-Indian, who grew up in West Amsterdam in the 90s with an appreciation for music of all type, has gone on to perform at renowned nightlife hubs such as Good Room in New York, Music Box in Lisbon, and Razzmatazz in Barcelona. As she jets across the globe, performing her genre-defying sets, she also makes it a point to give back to the community. For instance, she hosted a DJ workshop for women in Calcutta with the British Council and Wild City, an Indian music company, and a six-week course for young British Asian women aspiring to break into the industry.
Ahead of the Singapore leg of her 2025 Asia Tour, JYOTY chats exclusively with ELLE Singapore on how she got into the music scene, her influences, creative process, pre-show rituals, and pinch-me moment.
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Describe yourself using three songs.
DJ Chuckie's "Da Partycrasher", "2 Be Free" by DJ Deeon, and Kelela's "Bankhead".
What’s your creative process like?
Leaving everything to the very last minute, freaking out, having a mini meltdown, not sleeping, flinging it together in panic, handing it in, and never looking at it again. Unfortunately, that’s been the process since forever. I’ve accepted that that’s just how I work, and it’ll never change.
What’s the most unexpected place you’ve found inspiration from?
I’m actually a basic person. I feel like these questions are the perfect set-up for someone with a very outside-the-box way of thinking to enlighten and surprise us, but I find it quite hard to operate outside the box. Therefore, my inspiration always comes from the places my work lives in and anywhere that music lives.
What’s been your biggest ‘pinch me’ moment so far?
Every single week, it’s something new. Whether spinning in a country, meeting a specific individual, a DM, a magazine article, a cover, an invitation, a crowd... the list goes on. This month, it's probably realising that I’ve finally made some songs that I enjoy listening to, and that at almost 35 years old, I still have the freedom to pick up new skills and work on them as part of my job. Unreal.
What’s your pre-show routine like?
Nothing exciting or glamorous. I check my blood sugar and take insulin or something sweet as needed (as I'm diabetic), empty my bladder, check out the sets of the DJs before me, and dance. Most importantly, I chill with my thoughts.
What are some of the songs that, without fail, get the crowd going?
I'll give you five edits or reworks: My remake of Edu K and Deize Tigrona's "Sex-O-Matic" (which isn't out yet), Chopsoe's edit of "Set The Roof", Ikonika's edit of "My All", OSSX's edit of "Soon As I Get Home" which is called "OVER YOURSELF", and DJ Sliink's edit of "Water".
What’s the most unforgettable city or venue you’ve played in and why?
It has to be the sky-high salt hills in Arles in the south of France for Jacquemus. I will never be able to explain in words or pictures what that looked like.
What does your “off-duty” playlist sound like when you're just at home?
Mostly neo-soul, lovers rock, samba, hip-hop, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and The Dream.
Your 2025 Asia Tour is bringing you back to Singapore. What are you looking forward to seeing or doing when you arrive on our shores?
Enjoying some chicken rice and fresh juice, please and thank you!
How do you want people to feel after they leave one of your sets?
Like they got whatever it was they needed from that night. For some, that could be the wildest night of their life, while for others, it's just relaxing in a back corner, discovering new sounds and bopping their head. Maybe it was to make an ex jealous, perhaps to escape stress from work, to scream and smile, or to shed a tear and wake up not remembering anything. Whatever you need, I've got you!
Brought to you by Collective Minds, JYOTY will be performing on 1 August 2025 at MDLR. For more information, visit their website.
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.