Singer-songwriter Rationale, a Pharrell Williams favorite who’s riding high on his debut self-titled 2017 album Rationale, hits Stephen Colbert along with comedian/actor White Famous star Jay Pharoah and Shameless star William H. Macy. Rationale, a 33-year-old Zimbabwe-born innovator, has already reinvented himself a number of times. Borne Tinashe Fazakerley, Rationale began his career using his first name, Tinashé. He dropped a popular 2010 album as Tinashé, then he went through a transition, becoming Rationale in 2015. After making a name for himself as a producer and songwriter for other acts in between, he dropped his Rationale tracks “Fast Lane” and “Something for Nothing” on the steaming world and the world noticed. Not just Pharrell, but Justin Timberlake and Katy Perry started talking up Rationale. Listen to “Something for Nothing” here:
As the Colbert audience finds out, it’s impossible not to notice the man when he sings. Rationale is an amalgam of so many diverse styles that he seems to weave a brand new garment out of global thread, though Rationale’s pure R&B roots are always recognizable, despite electronic flourishes. Moving from Zimbabwe to Britain in his youth, Rationale was already practiced at reinvention and — you can bet — he’ll do it again. He has a welcome and understanding audience in Stephen Colbert, who has been working hard to reinvent himself as a different Stephen Colbert. On Amazon, vinyl copies of Rationale go for $35, but they’re sold out. The 12-track Rationale album can be streamed on Amazon, Spotify, or the music service of your choice. The main thing about Rationale — he’s got a great voice. Plain and simple.
