Career Timeline of Zayn Malik: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Zayn Malik, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Zayn Malik is an English singer who gained prominence as a member of the boy band One Direction, formed on The X Factor in 2010. One Direction achieved global success, becoming one of the best-selling boy bands ever. Malik left the group in March 2015 to pursue a solo career, subsequently signing with RCA Records.
2010: Audition for The X Factor
In 2010, Zayn Malik auditioned for the British television series "The X Factor" as a solo contestant. He was later grouped with other contestants to form the boy band One Direction.
2010: Audition and Formation of One Direction on The X Factor
In 2010, Zayn Malik auditioned for the seventh series of "The X Factor". He was grouped with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson to form One Direction. They finished as the last contestant eliminated and were signed by Syco Records.
February 2011: Release of One Direction: Forever Young and X Factor Live Tour
In February 2011, the book "One Direction: Forever Young (Our Official X Factor Story)" was released and topped The Sunday Times' Best Seller list. One Direction also performed for 500,000 people throughout the UK as part of the X Factor Live Tour.
November 2011: Release of Up All Night in the UK and Ireland
In November 2011, One Direction's debut studio album, "Up All Night", was released in the UK and Ireland.
March 2012: International Release of Up All Night
In March 2012, One Direction's debut album "Up All Night" was released internationally, becoming the first UK group to have their debut album reach number one in the United States.
May 2012: Release of Up All Night: The Live Tour and Dare to Dream: Life as One Direction
In May 2012, One Direction released "Up All Night: The Live Tour", a video album documenting their tour. The book "Dare to Dream: Life as One Direction" was published and topped The New York Times Best Seller list.
September 2012: Release of "Live While We're Young"
In September 2012, One Direction released "Live While We're Young" as the lead single from their second album. It reached the top ten in almost every country it charted in.
November 2012: Release of Take Me Home
In November 2012, One Direction's second studio album, "Take Me Home", was released. The album sold 540,000 copies in its first week in the US and went to number one in 35 countries.
February 2013: Take Me Home Tour
In February 2013, One Direction started their second concert tour, the Take Me Home Tour, playing over 100 shows.
August 2013: Release of One Direction: This Is Us and One Direction: Where We Are: Our Band, Our Story: 100% Official
In August 2013, the 3D documentary concert film "One Direction: This Is Us" was released. One Direction's third book, "One Direction: Where We Are: Our Band, Our Story: 100% Official", was released that same month.
November 2013: Release of Midnight Memories
In November 2013, One Direction released their third studio album, "Midnight Memories", which became the best-selling album worldwide in 2013.
April 2014: Guitar Donation to Kean's Children Fund
In April 2014, Zayn Malik donated his guitar to the Kean's Children Fund in Dundee, Scotland, raising money for iPads for the children's ward at Ninewells.
September 2014: Release of One Direction: Who We Are: Our Official Autobiography
In September 2014, One Direction's fourth book, "One Direction: Who We Are: Our Official Autobiography", was released.
October 2014: Release of One Direction: Where We Are – The Concert Film
In October 2014, One Direction's second concert film, "One Direction: Where We Are – The Concert Film", was released.
November 2014: Release of Four
In November 2014, One Direction released their fourth album, Four, which debuted at number one in 18 countries.
March 2015: Departure from One Direction
In March 2015, Zayn Malik left the boy band One Direction and subsequently signed a solo recording contract with RCA Records.
March 2015: Recording Studio Appearance and Solo Career Allusion
In March 2015, Zayn Malik was seen at a London recording studio with producer Naughty Boy, alluding to a potential solo career. Naughty Boy also released an early demo of Malik's song "I Won't Mind" on SoundCloud.
March 2015: Zayn Malik's Absence from On The Road Again Tour
On March 18, 2015, it was announced that Zayn Malik would be absent for the remaining shows of the Asian leg of One Direction's On The Road Again Tour due to stress.
March 2015: Departure Announcement from One Direction
On March 25, 2015, it was announced that Zayn Malik would be leaving One Direction, citing his desire to live as a "normal 22-year-old".
June 2015: Leak of "No Type"
In June 2015, UK rapper Mic Righteous leaked Zayn Malik's "No Type", featuring Mic Righteous and produced by Naughty Boy, which was a cover version of Rae Sremmurd's hip hop song.
July 2015: Signing with RCA Records
In July 2015, Zayn Malik announced that he had signed a recording deal with RCA Records, marking a significant step in his solo career. He also revealed that life experiences have been the influences for his album and just stuff that I've been through, especially in the last five years".
December 2015: Malik expresses unhappiness with One Direction's musical direction
In December 2015, Zayn Malik expressed in an interview with The Fader that he was unhappy with One Direction's musical direction and his lack of creative freedom within the band.
January 2016: Release of "Pillowtalk"
In January 2016, Zayn Malik released "Pillowtalk" as the lead single from his upcoming album. It debuted at number one in numerous countries and made him the first UK artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with a debut single.
February 2016: Release of "Pillowtalk" Remix and Contribution to "Back to Sleep" Remix
In February 2016, Zayn Malik released a remix of "Pillowtalk" featuring Lil Wayne and contributed guest vocals to the remix of Chris Brown's R&B song "Back to Sleep", which also featured Usher.
March 2016: Release of Mind of Mine
In March 2016, Zayn Malik released his debut solo album, Mind of Mine, which included songs co-written by Malik. The album, primarily R&B and alternative R&B, was structured as a cohesive work with a mostly downbeat tone and received generally positive reviews.
July 2016: Release of "Cruel" and Writing Autobiography "Zayn"
In July 2016, "Cruel", featuring Malik, was released by British production team Snakehips. During this time, he also wrote an autobiography titled "Zayn", describing the writing process as therapeutic.
2016: Planned Release of First Solo Studio Album
Following his departure from One Direction in March 2015, Zayn Malik alluded to the potential of a solo career, with the release of his first solo studio album to be released under the Syco label in 2016.
2016: Debut on BoF500 Index
In 2016, Zayn Malik made his debut on The Business of Fashion's annual BoF500 index, which profiles the most influential people in fashion.
2016: Release of Mind of Mine and "Pillowtalk"
In 2016, Zayn Malik released his first solo studio album, Mind of Mine, featuring a more alternative R&B music style, and its lead single, "Pillowtalk". He became the first British male artist to debut at number one in both the UK and US with his debut single and album.
2016: Sponsored Box at Bradford City
In 2016, Zayn Malik sponsored a box at Bradford City for underprivileged children to watch football, supporting his local community.
January 2017: Shoe Line Release with Giuseppe Zanotti
In January 2017, Zayn Malik released a shoe line with Italian footwear designer Giuseppe Zanotti called Giuseppe for Zayn, featuring four shoe styles.
February 2017: Versus (Versace) Spring Summer Campaign
In February 2017, Zayn Malik appeared in the Versus (Versace) Spring Summer 2017 campaign with model Adwoah Aboah and co-hosted the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund's Americans in Paris annual cocktail.
March 2017: Release of "Still Got Time"
On March 24, 2017, Zayn Malik released the single "Still Got Time", featuring PartyNextDoor.
May 2017: Zayn x Versus Collection Release
In May 2017, the Zayn x Versus capsule collection, for which Donatella Versace appointed Malik as the creative director, was released.
September 2017: Release of "Dusk Till Dawn"
On September 7, 2017, Zayn Malik released the single "Dusk Till Dawn", featuring Sia. The music video, directed by Marc Webb, featured British-American actress Jemima Kirke.
2017: Release of "I Don't Wanna Live Forever"
By the end of 2016, in 2017 Taylor Swift and Zayn Malik released a single together called "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" for the soundtrack of the film Fifty Shades Darker; the song reached number two in the US, number five in the UK, and number one in Sweden.
April 2018: Release of "Let Me"
On 12 April 2018, Zayn Malik released "Let Me" as the lead single from his upcoming album, marking a significant step in his solo career.
September 2018: Backpack Line for The Kooples
In September 2018, Zayn Malik designed a backpack line for The Kooples, expanding his involvement in the fashion industry.
2018: Release of Icarus Falls
In 2018, Zayn Malik released his second studio album, Icarus Falls.
2019: Collaborations and Soundtrack Work
In 2019, Zayn Malik collaborated with Zhavia Ward on a cover of "A Whole New World" for the Aladdin film soundtrack, and released a bilingual version, "Un Mundo Ideal," with Becky G. He also collaborated with Shaed on a remix of "Trampoline" and with R3hab and Jungleboi on "Flames."
2019: Modeling Campaigns
In 2019, Zayn Malik continued his modeling career, appearing in campaigns for Penshoppe and Martyre, showcasing his continued presence in the fashion world.
January 2020: Donation to Medical Treatment
In January 2020, Zayn Malik donated £10,000 to a five-year-old girl's medical treatment through a GoFundMe page created by her mother.
June 2020: Support for Black Lives Matter
In May and June 2020, Zayn Malik showed his support for the Black Lives Matter movement by sharing links to petitions and donating to the George Floyd memorial fund.
August 2020: Re-release of Icarus Falls
On 28 August 2020, Zayn Malik re-released his album 'Icarus Falls', including the tracks "Still Got Time" and "Dusk Till Dawn".
September 2020: Release of "Better"
On 25 September 2020, Zayn Malik released "Better" as the lead single from his third studio album, marking his first solo release in nearly two years.
January 2021: Release of Nobody Is Listening
In January 2021, Zayn Malik released the song "Vibez" as a promotion for his third album, 'Nobody Is Listening', which came out a week later, on January 15, 2021.
September 2021: Release of Yellow Tape
On 13 September 2021, Zayn Malik released a collection of three songs named Yellow Tape on DropBox, experimenting with a new, old-school hip-hop sound.
October 2021: Departure from RCA Records
In October 2021, Zayn Malik was dropped by RCA Records, marking a change in his recording career.
2021: Release of Nobody Is Listening
In 2021, Zayn Malik released his third studio album, Nobody Is Listening.
November 2022: Support for Free School Meals
In November 2022, Zayn Malik wrote a public letter to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urging him to widen access to free school meals during the cost of living crisis.
January 2023: Signs with United Talent Agency
In January 2023, Zayn Malik signed a management contract with United Talent Agency for representation across music, film, and television.
July 2023: Release of "Love Like This"
On 21 July 2023, Zayn Malik released "Love Like This", his first single with Mercury Records, transitioning to an R&B sound.
December 2023: Ambassador for Hopefield Animal Sanctuary
In December 2023, Zayn Malik became an official ambassador of the Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, aiming to spread their message and save animals in need.
February 2024: Dave Cobb Reveals Working with Zayn
In February 2024, record producer Dave Cobb revealed he was working extensively with Zayn on his upcoming album, praising Zayn's voice and the album's personal nature.
March 2024: Album Announcement
On 13 March 2024, Zayn Malik announced the release date of his upcoming album and made it available for pre-order after releasing a teaser on March 6, 2024.
May 2024: Release of 'Room Under the Stairs' and first solo live show
On 17 May 2024, Zayn Malik released his album 'Room Under the Stairs' and performed his first-ever solo live show at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in celebration of the release. The album spawned three singles: "What I Am", "Alienated", and "Stardust".
September 2025: Residency Announcement
In September 2025, a seven-date residency at Dolby Live in Paradise, Nevada, was announced, produced by Live Nation and MGM Resorts International, starting from 20 January to 31 January 2026.
January 2026: Residency at Dolby Live
Starting on 20 January 2026 and lasting until 31 January 2026, Zayn Malik's seven-date residency at Dolby Live in Paradise, Nevada, produced by Live Nation and MGM Resorts International, is scheduled to begin.
February 2026: Announcement of "Konnakol"
On 4 February 2026, Zayn Malik announced his fifth studio album, Konnakol, and the release of its lead single "Die for Me" on February 6, 2026.
April 2026: Release of Konnakol
Zayn Malik's fifth studio album, Konnakol, is set to be released on 17 April 2026.
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