Zayn Malik’s first major interview since leaving One Direction will be published on The FADER tonight at 6 p.m. EST. Come back for the full story—for now, enjoy this accompanying video filmed at Zayn’s house north of London. In the background, you’ll hear the first-ever taste of Zayn’s solo album, with a snippet of a new song called “Befour.”
When Zayn announced he was going solo earlier this year, he said he wanted to live a real life. His FADER cover story is the first look, and an in-depth one, at what that life really means. He spoke candidly about life under extreme scrutiny, the public obsession about his relationships, and the role of family in his rapidly changing life.
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Most importantly, he walked The FADER through his last morning in the band, exactly why he quit, and what he’s got in mind for his forthcoming solo debut. With producer James “Malay” Ho, of Channel Orange fame, he played a few tracks from the album—all written by Zayn—and explained how, for the first time, he’s making music that actually represents him.
“I don’t feel like people really know what I’m going to give them, musically,” Zayn said. “And once they hear it, I feel like they will understand me a little bit more, and they’ll understand why I did what I did, and why I left the band, and why I had to write this shit down. Because for five—not even for five years, for ten years, this album has been in my brain, and it’s just been there, sat with me, needing to be out.”
Director - Jim Demuth
Producers: Posy Dixon, Robert Semmer, Duncan Cooper
Executive Producer: Joseph Patel
Executive Producers: Rob Stone, Jon Cohen, Andy Cohn
Director of Photography: Jack Reynolds
Sound: Grant Studart
Editor: Jim Demuth
Production Assistant: Carol Hodge
Production Coordinator: Madison LaClair
