With vocals that have been described as Tracy Chapman-meets-Morrissey, Rationale combines various stylistic influences with polished self-production. At the start of his career, he was shrouded in mystery, preferring to focus attention on his music and letting the man behind the sound take a back seat for a short while. Born in Harare, Zimbabwe and based in London, he grew up listening to his mother's records, learned guitar at nine, and started songwriting as a teenager. His first vocals appeared on songs by Bastille and Jakwob. It wasn't until 2015 that he would release his debut solo track, "Fast Lane." Little by little, Rationale revealed himself through music videos, which showcased his soulful, genre-bending style. He received support from U.K. radio, which led to live shows and a deal with Warner Bros. His four-song EP, Fuel to the Fire, was released in 2015, and included the slow jam "Re.Up," with Zena Kitt on vocals. The Vessels EP, featuring the laid-back hit single of the same name, was released in February 2017, followed in October by his eponymous full-length debut. After featuring on Black Saint's "Ante Up" single in early 2018, Rationale returned in September of that year with his own single, "One by One." ~ Neil Z. Yeung, Rovi