Shaker

Shaker is Elikplim Yao Atiemo, a Ghanaian rapper, songwriter and producer born in Accra to parents from the Volta Region. For most of his early career he went by Lil Shaker, a name he picked up on the basketball court for breaking defenders’ ankles, and his releases today simply say Shaker. He started making music as a teenager at Accra High School. Coached by the producer Jayso, he learnt to make beats on his mother’s computer, recording friends such as Joey B, and his pidgin single “And So Whut” got him signed to Skillions Records. Wanlov the Kubolor joined him on its remix.

His Birthday Mixtape in 2010, led by “School”, made him a name across Ghana. He became known for hooks, on Sarkodie’s “Lies”, E.L’s “See Me Suffer” and Edem’s “Koene”, and for production, including Sarkodie’s “Talk Of Gh”. “I No Dey See U Saf” brought together Sarkodie, Joey B, Raquel and Edem. In October 2015 he joined BBnZ Live alongside E.L and Ko-Jo Cue, and that year “Madakraa” with Joey B and E.L was an instant hit. His debut album, Captain Hook, followed in December 2015, named after the title fans gave him for his choruses.

In 2017 he and Ko-Jo Cue made the joint album Pen & Paper, whose song “Things We Do 4 Love” with KiDi was remixed with Sarkodie the next year. Singles since then include “Who Dey Eat” with Joey B (2019), “Sometimes” with Fameye (2020), “Car Key” and “Castro”. He married the UK-based singer Rashelle Blue in Accra on 2 November 2024, and she appears on “Bills”, “Here We Go Again” and “Who Dat”. “Pantang” with Kwesi Arthur and DMI came out in October 2025, and in October 2026 he reunited with Ko-Jo Cue on “This Trip”.