Zayn Malik, the man responsible for shattering the hearts and dreams of One Direction fans worldwide, has just signed a solo record deal and announced plans to make #realmusic.
The ex-boybander and career dreamboat, who waved goodbye to 1D earlier this year, has also taken a bit of dig at his former band in a tweet, announcing the news.
With the subtlety of a hand grenade, Malik explained that he originally left 1D “to show you who i really am!”, accompanied by the hashtag “#realmusic”.
Malik’s definition of what constitutes #realmusic has yet to fully present itself, however we did get a small taste of a more indie-folk side of the boyband alumnus back in March.
He’s now signed on the RCA roster, home to artists as diverse as Alicia Keys, Britney Spears, Bullet For My Valentine, Chris Brown, Foo Fighters, Mark Ronson, Kings Of Leon and Guy Sebastian.
As The Guardian reports, Malik is also working with R&B producer Malay, who has collaborated with singers including Frank Ocean and John Legend.
And he’s also inked a deal with none other than Iggy Azalea’s management company, Turn First, where he’ll be guided by the very same person who’s in charge of the Mullumbimby rapper, Sarah Stennett.
The 22-year-old is the latest in a long line of popstars to bail out on successful boybands in order to pursue more “authentic” music, including George Michael, Robbie Williams and Justin Timberlake.
While Malik’s former 1D bandmates have yet to weigh in on the news, their longtime producer Simon Cowell has given his blessing, tweeting: “We have been working on this for a while and I am pleased to say congratulations to @Zaynmalik on signing with @RCARecords”.
“I believe they are the perfect label for @ZaynMalik’s solo career and I am sure whatever they release together will be special,” he concluded.
And while Malik may no longer believe that What Makes You Beautiful is real music, that doesn’t mean you can’t still blast it on full volume while staring into the screen of your smart-phone camera in ‘beauty face’ mode while you weep forcefully and think about how you might have turned out if only your mum had enrolled you in those dance classes you asked for when you were still in Year 2 instead of making you take swimming lessons like all the other kids.
Right?
Watch: One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful
I guess I never explained why I left , it was for this moment to be given the opportunity to show you who i really am! #realmusic #RCA !!
— zayn (@zaynmalik) July 29, 2015
— zayn (@zaynmalik) July 29, 2015
We have been working on this for a while and I am pleased to say congratulations to @Zaynmalik on signing with @RCARecords
— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) July 29, 2015
I believe they are the perfect label for @ZaynMalik’s solo career and I am sure whatever they release together will be special.
— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) July 29, 2015
