Ekali (DJ)

History

Shaw first encountered music as a child, learning the violin and later other contemporary instruments. He gained initial recognition as the bassist for the Vancouver-based indie rock band Said the Whale, which he joined in 2011. While touring with the band, he taught himself music production and began creating sample-based instrumentals, lacking confidence to perform his own vocals. He entered the local underground scene as a DJ and became a member of the Vancouver electronic music collective Chapel Sound.

On November 20, 2013, he released his debut single, "Unfaith," via SoundCloud. In 2014, Shaw attended the Red Bull Music Academy in Tokyo, Japan, as the only Canadian participant that year. There he collaborated with Om'Mas Keith and Dorian Concept on the track "On Me," released January 13, 2015, on the compilation Various Assets – Not For Sale 2014. His profile rose sharply after Drake sampled "Unfaith" for the mixtape If You're Reading This It's Too Late, released February 13, 2015, on the songs "Preach" and "Wednesday Night Interlude."

The single was officially re-released to streaming platforms on March 31, 2015. Shaw left Said the Whale in 2016 to focus on his own music and touring, relocating to Los Angeles. He signed with Skrillex's label OWSLA in 2017, releasing the single "Babylon" featuring Denzel Curry on August 18, 2017. His debut EP, Crystal Eyes, came out on October 21, 2018, via OWSLA, preceded by the lead single "Leaving" featuring Yuna on August 24, 2018.