Shan Ako is a London based singer-songwriter and guitarist who draws influence from soul, gospel, pop, R&B, jazz, folk and reggae.
As a teenager, Shan began releasing self-produced music, writing lyrics that would inspire other young people; to this day Shan still writes with the aim of developing and sharing her message, her drive, and love for music. She hopes to continue inspiring people who listen to her music. 
Shan actively engages in her local community and church and is a passionate supporter for mental health and well-being. Currently studying for a Master’s in Positive Psychology, she has received a National Diversity Award nomination in The Positive Role Model category. These beliefs and passions are expressed through her music, making her lyrics and melodies inspiring and relatable.

From 2011 to 2013 Shan joined the national tour of the ‘Magic of Motown’ while also studying for a degree in Music Business, she then won the Project Aloft: Star for emerging artists, run by the Starwood Hotel Group and BBC 1 Radio. 
In 2015 Shan went on to join the UK tour of Whitney – Queen of the Night as the lead role, taking the role across Europe until 2018. Joining the fifteenth season of The X Factor, Simon Cowell became her mentor for the live finals. 
In 2019, after performing on the X factor Arena Tour, Shan was chosen to play the role of Eponine in the critically acclaimed All Star Staged Concert of Les Miserables. She continued this role in the new production at the Sondheim Theatre in London’s West End in 2020, for which she won Best Performer in a Musical at The Stage Debut Awards. Shan continued this role until 2021. She is now starring as Eliza Hamilton in the hit musical, Hamilton in London’s West End.