Formed in Watford, Rak-Su are made up of childhood friends Myles Stephenson, Ashley Fongho and Jamaal Shurland. The British R&B and hip hop group became household names after winning the fourteenth series of The X Factor in 2017, becoming the first boy band to ever win the show and only the second group after Little Mix. Mentored by Simon Cowell, the group were clear favourites from the beginning, ultimately reaching the final against Grace Davies and winning with over 50% of the public vote. Known for their feel-good sound, Rak-Su blend catchy hooks, rhythmic melodies and relatable storytelling to create music that connects strongly with audiences and makes people want to dance.
Their winners’ single, 'Dimelo', featuring Naughty Boy and Wyclef Jean, made history as the first X Factor winners’ single written by the contestants themselves. The track reached number two on the Official UK Singles Chart, sitting just behind Ed Sheeran’s Perfect, and helped propel the group into the mainstream spotlight. Rak-Su quickly established themselves as one of the most exciting breakthrough acts in UK pop, achieving another Top 40 single, five iTunes Number 1s and accumulating over 100 million streams and views across platforms. In 2018, they released their self-titled EP 'Rak-Su', which included fan favourite tracks 'Mona Lisa', 'Mamacita', 'I'm Feeling You and Dimelo'.
Rak-Su soon took their music on the road, building a reputation for energetic and engaging live performances. In 2018, they supported Little Mix on their Summer Hits Tour before joining Olly Murs on the You Know, I Know Tour in 2019. That same year, the group embarked on their own Scenic Route Tour across the UK, which proved so popular that additional dates were added due to demand. They also returned to The X Factor stage to perform their single 'I Want You To Freak'. With strong radio support from stations including Capital FM, appearances across major ITV programming and award shows, and over one million followers across social media, Rak-Su remain a fan favourite across the UK.
Known for their high-energy stage presence, choreography and natural camaraderie, Rak-Su’s live show feels more like a party than a traditional concert, encouraging crowd participation and interaction throughout their performances. In 2026, the group are building momentum toward the release of their debut album in January 2027 while continuing to bring their infectious energy to stages across the country, cementing their reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting feel-good pop acts.
