Tinashe Fazakerley
Tinashe Fazakerley | |
---|---|
Born |
Highfield, Harare, Zimbabwe | April 4, 1984
Genres | Indie pop, synthpop, R&B, acoustic |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, producer |
Instruments | Singing, synthesizer, guitar, mbira |
Labels | Best Laid Plans, Warner Music UK, Universal Island |
Associated acts | Bastille, Jakwob, Noisettes |
Website |
iamrationale |
Tinashe Fazakerley (born April 4, 1984),[1] now professionally known as Rationale is a Zimbabwe-born British singer-songwriter, formerly known as Tinashé.[2] His alias Tinashé was known for his synth-pop sound[2] and his African influences.[3]
Early life
Fazakerley was born in the Harare township of Highfield. At the age of 9, he and his three siblings moved to the United Kingdom in the Camberwell district of London, where his single mother was working as a nurse. Later, at the age of 11, he moved to the London borough of Hackney and music began to play a more significant role in his life as he learned to play the guitar. His influences were varying, ranging from Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Pat Metheny, Donnie Hathaway and Al Green, to Tupac Shakur, A Tribe Called Quest and the Notorious B.I.G.[1]
Career - Tinashé
In 2010, Fazakerley released the album Saved under the stage name Tinashé, but it had limited success.
Career - Songwriter
He went on to become a songwriter, writing songs for an up-coming blues artist known as Rag 'N' Bone Man and for the Swiss version of The Voice talent show.[4]
Career - Rationale
In 2015, he relaunched his career as Rationale, releasing songs such as "Fast Lane" and "Something for Nothing" on Soundcloud and Spotify. It was on these streaming platforms that he gained notable recognition, with a mention by Pharrell Williams on his Apple Music Beats1 radio show, OTHERtone, calling him someone who had "found the beauty in their voice".[5] This elevated Fast Lane to No. 2 within its first week on the Spotify Global Viral Chart, reached No. 1 on Hype Machine, and amassed more than 1.3 million views on Soundcloud. Rationale also received praise from Justin Timberlake and Elton John.[6]
Discography
Singles - As Tinashé
- "Mayday", March 2010
- "Zambezi", June 2010
- "Saved", September 2010
Singles - As Rationale
- "Fuel to the Fire", August 2015
- "Fast Lane", August 2015
- "Something for Nothing", January 2016
- "Palms", June 2016
- "Prodigal Son", November 2016
Albums - As Tinashé
- Saved, September 2010
Albums - As Rationale
- Rationale, March 2017
EPs - As Tinashé
- Mayday
- Zambezi
- Saved
EPs - As Rationale
- Fuel to the Fire
References
- 1 2 Smyth, David (2016-06-07). "Rationale, interview: 'I'm a very pessimistic character, which helps to write the songs I want to write'". Standard.co.uk.
- 1 2 Lester, Paul (2010-01-21). "New band of the day: Tinashé (No 709)". Guardian.co.uk.
- ↑ Richman, Simmy (2010-08-22). "Album: Tinashé, Saved (Island)". The Independent.
- ↑ Studarus, Laura (2016-06-07). "Dinner and a Show: Get to know Bastille's first signee, The Rationale". Live Nation TV.
- ↑ Pell, Mike (2016-06-08). "Pharrell Williams Loves Him. We Love Him. Get To Know Rationale...". MTV UK.
- ↑ Earls, John (2016-06-08). "Meet Rationale: The new Brit soulman loved by Pharrell, Timberlake and Elton". Loaded Magazine.