There’s something unique about this young lady from West London. Rukhsana has previously toured with likes of Rag’n’Bone Man, James Bay, Oh Wonder and Michael Kiwanuka, performing to thousands across the world. Beautifully captivating, she’s the type of artist that makes you forget about everything else in the room. Opening her live shows with a warm and heartfelt welcome, “ Alright, darlin ’”, she immediately puts her audience at ease. Alongside producer and collaborator PRGRSHN - who has written for likes of Yungen, Krept n Konan and Mahalia, Rukhsana has been busy in the studio putting the finishing touches together for her debut album. Rukhsana makes music regardless of genre limitations or commercial pressures. When she’s in the studio, she’s not thinking about writing a song for her record. She’s thinking about writing a song – end of story. “ Just leave yourself in the music, do what’s real to you and you’ll get there ,” she says. “ The music will do what it needs to do .” Having already garnered support from her peers, including the likes of Wretch 32, Avelino, WSTRN and Jacob Banks, Rukhsana Merrise is certainly one to watch out for in 2018.