London-based producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rationale creates bold, genre-hopping productions of soulful and heartfelt songs. His lyrics reflect real life stories that are amplified for dramatic effect; and in his recordings, classic arrangements meet cutting edge sonics.
Born in Harare to a mother with a diverse record collection including everything from Fela Kuti to Meatloaf; and later settling in London and discovering late ‘90’s rock and indie, Rationale soaked up the eclectic influences that are now found in his music. He developed his skills in the studio, and discovered a soaring baritone vocal that is equal measures Drake and Morrissey, but one that is also instantly recognisable as his.
Rationale’s song ‘Fast Lane’ debuted in April 2015 to an overwhelmingly positive response from the online community and subsequently from radio. The song went straight to #2 on Spotify’s Global Viral Chart the week it was made available, and also climbed to #1 on Hype Machine, where it repeatedly returned throughout the summer. His next track, ‘Re.Up,’ took listeners by surprise by opening with a female vocal and showed another, visceral side to Rationale’s sound. A confrontational anthem for modern times followed titled ‘Fuel To The Fire’, challenging the listener to look beyond ‘hand-held justice’; and finally the 80’s tinged, almost nostalgic refrain of the ‘The Mire’ completed Rationale’s debut ‘Fuel To The Fire’ E.P. Together, the four songs offered a snapshot of an artist with the ability to make a meaningful statement across a sonically diverse collection.
Radio support for Rationale started early on. Annie Mac first played Re.Up on her BBC Radio 1 evening show (and included it on her Annie Mac Presents compilation) and from there Rationale’s radio supporters grew. Pharrell Williams, Zane Lowe, Julie Adenuga and Elton John all played tracks on Beats 1; and Phil Taggart, Huw Stephens, Clara Amfo and Greg James played tracks in their shows on BBC Radio 1. By the time the entire EP was available, both ‘Fuel To The Fire’ and ‘Fast Lane’ had achieved places on Radio 1’s In New Music We Trust playlist – a rare feat for an artist’s debut EP.
In October 2015, Rationale played his first live show at the Courtyard Theatre in Hoxton, London. Selling out months in advance, Rationale played the songs from his EP and debuted two new songs – Deliverance and Loaded Gun – to an ecstatic crowd that sung along with the words they had memorized since the songs were posted six short months ago. Shows in Dusseldorf, Amsterdam and Paris followed, and after each, dozens of hand held videos would be posted on YouTube as mementoes – testament to the emotional impact of the performances.
He debuted a new song shortly after the New Year: ‘Something For Nothing’. Annie Mac debuted the track, this time as her Hottest Record. The week after, Rationale played a phenomenal set at Radio 1’s Future Fest, inspiring David Smyth of the Evening Standard to remark that Rationale “belatedly snatched my vote as the man to make the biggest impact in 2016”.
His London show at the Village Underground in April sold out over two months in advance, leading him to announce another show, his biggest to date, at London’s Scala.
Whether in the songs themselves or the accompanying visuals - such as the provocative video to ‘Fuel To The Fire’, or the unexpected twist in the video to Fast Lane - Rationale always seeks to create something unique and impactful. “I work really hard”, he states, “to ensure that every moment you experience of Rationale ends up being something that stays in the mind. Even if you don’t particularly like it, you’ll at least remember it”.
