In a cultural landscape often obsessed with the new, London-based drag artist, singer-songwriter, and queer cultural force Violetta J’Adore dares to look back, not with nostalgia, but with fire. Her latest single Giasemin is a powerful reimagining of a traditional song, fusing ancestral sound with contemporary artistry. It’s queer, it’s unapologetically Cypriot, and it’s an emotionally potent release. We sat down with Violetta to talk about the personal roots of the track, the creative process, and what this release means for her next chapter.
Giasemin is such a striking, emotional release. What made you want to revisit and reinterpret this particular song?
A poem from the past. A sound for the future. That was the essence of Giasemin for me. I wanted to create something that honoured where I come from, not just geographically, but spiritually, emotionally, culturally. I grew up with this song echoing through weddings, balconies, courtyards, and family gatherings. It’s been passed down like a secret between generations, and I wanted to take that secret and shout it from the rooftops.
You’ve said this release is also deeply personal. Can you talk about that connection?
Absolutely. Giasemin is dedicated to my grandfather, who I had an incredibly close bond with. He worked at a flower shop his entire life, almost poetically, right up until a few months before he passed. The jasmine flower (giasemi) was everywhere in our lives. Singing this song is like a tribute to him, a thank-you, and a way to make sure his story doesn’t fade.
How did the production of the track come together?
The music was produced by Snob Artist, an incredibly talented producer based in Thessaloniki, along with Raw Bee Candles, a drag sister of mine and an amazing musician. I came to them with a vision: take the traditional song, make it new, and give it an edge. Then I gave them creative freedom to infuse it with their own unique style. The result was Giasemin, raw, queer, and defiantly modern.
As a Greek-Cypriot artist, how do you feel your heritage influences your work overall?
It’s in everything I do. Being Greek Cypriot means I’ve grown up with rich stories, big feelings, and music that always meant more than just entertainment, it was how we processed grief, joy, desire, protest. I carry that with me in every lyric, every movement. Even when I’m doing hyperpop or rock ballads, that core is always there. I also want to challenge the parts that told people like me to stay quiet. That’s why I sing so loudly.
Drag is inherently political, and so is reclaiming traditional music through a queer lens. How intentional was that for you?
Completely intentional. Giasemin wasn’t written with someone like me in mind, but that doesn’t mean I don’t belong in it. Queer people don’t just exist in Western pop culture, we exist in folk songs, in lullabies, in ancestral stories. We’ve always been here. I’m just turning up the volume.
How do you want listeners to feel when they hear Giasemin?
I want them to feel a mix of awe and recognition. Whether they understand the language or not, I want the emotions to break through, like jasmine vines pushing through cracks in concrete. I want them to feel seen, or at least curious enough to want to see.
You debuted the song live at Croydon Pride. What was that moment like?
Unreal. It was the first time I performed something fully in Greek to a UK audience, and the energy was electric. I was terrified people wouldn’t “get” it, but they did. The rhythm, the emotion, the performance, it transcended language. There was so much love in the crowd, and I’ll never forget it.
Who were the key collaborators who brought this to life?
Production was done by Snob Artist with assistance from Raw Bee Candles, we were in constant communication, sending video messages back and forth for days while they worked their magic in Thessaloniki. Then, Kieran Armitage handled the mixing and mastering with me here in London. It was actually really funny, Kieran doesn’t speak Greek, so we had to come up with creative ways for him to understand the emotional flow of the song without understanding a word of the lyrics. Music really is a universal language, and it was magical to see Giasemin come together like that.
What’s next for you? Can we expect more original music soon?
Yes! I’m currently working on my debut EP, the biggest, boldest, and most personal project I’ve ever done. It’ll include brand-new songs and fresh takes on some of my already-released singles. I’ve written all the lyrics myself, so every word comes from me, which I find very important. Expect music that’s loud, sexy, dark, and really fun. There may even be some surprise collaborations in the mix… It’s a celebration of everything I am and everything I’ve lived through.
Final thoughts. What does Giasemin represent for you, in a sentence?
It’s a love letter to the people and places that made me, and a battle cry for every queer person who ever thought they had to leave their roots behind in order to bloom.
Listen to GIASEMIN by Violetta J’Adore ft. Snob Artist and Raw Bee Candles on all platforms NOW!
Follow @violetta_jadore for updates, performances, and behind-the-scenes.
Photos supplied: https://www.instagram.com/duboisphotography1
Croydon PrideFest: https://www.croydonpride.org.uk
