Zayn
ZAYN has signed a new record deal with Mercury Records, Billboard can confirm. Along with the news, the singer wiped his social media yesterday and has launched a new pre-save link and teaser in preparation for his Mercury Records debut single, which is said by the label to be arriving “very soon this summer.”
A former member of One Direction and a chart topper in his own right, ZAYN was previously signed to RCA Records. Sources close to the singer told Billboard that the new music ZAYN is making marks a major departure from the sound that defined his previous hits like “PILLOWTALK” and “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever.”
Label president Tyler Arnold says of the deal, “As soon as ZAYN and I met, I knew we had to work together. I was blown away by the new music, but just as impressed by his vision, drive and spirit. We’re honored he and his team have joined us at Mercury Records. We’ve got an incredible opportunity to tell the next chapter of his story together.”
Mercury Records was relaunched in April 2022 as a U.S. imprint of Republic Records, helmed by Arnold and Ben Adelson as president and general manager, respectively. Mercury’s roster includes Post Malone, whom Arnold signed to Republic in 2015, and James Bay, signed by Adelson in 2014. Other signees at Mercury’s launch included Stephen Sanchez, Chelsea Cutler, Jeremy Zucker, Lord Huron, Noah Kahan, BoyWithUke, Ka$hdami, Lyn Lapid and Camylio.
Mercury Records also acts as the hub for Republic’s partnerships with Big Loud Records, home to Morgan Wallen, and Imperial Music, the independent distributor that released Bo Burnham‘s Inside (The Songs).
As a solo artist, ZAYN has released three records: Mind of Mine (2016), Icarus Falls (2018), and Nobody is Listening (2021). They peaked at No. 1, No. 61 and No. 44 on the Billboard 200 chart, respectively. He has also placed six songs in the top 50 on the Pop Airplay chart, including two in the top 10. “PILLOWTALK” peaked at No. 1, and “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” reached No. 2 on the chart. The two songs also reached those same chart positions on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart as well.
You can pre-save ZAYN’s upcoming single here.
Gigi Hadid took to social media on Friday (Jan. 20) to show off her recent beach vacation with daughter Khai.
“Celebrated the new year w a lil r&r,” the supermodel captioned the slideshow on Instagram.
Though she follows a strict policy of keeping Khai’s face off social media, the seaside snaps made clear the 2-year-old she shares with ex Zayn was there for the fun.
In one photo, Hadid spells out “Mama [hearts] Khai” in the sand with her own head cut out of the frame. Another shows Khai balanced on her mom’s shoulders in stark grayscale, while a third features the tot carefully outside the edge of the photo, frolicking in the surf while Hadid wears a red bikini top and baggy, multi-colored board shorts over her matching bottoms.
A few months ago, Hadid offered an update on Khai’s growth and development, telling Sunday Today, “I think she’s a genius. But I think that’s what everyone says about their kid. It’s so much fun. The more that she talks, and understands, and remembers, it just gets more and more fun. And she’s a blessing.”
For his part, Zayn most recently unveiled “Angel,” a posthumous collab with Jimi Hendrix in honor of what would’ve been the late guitar legend’s 80th birthday. At the time, the former One Directioner called being asked to join the track “such an unexpected and huge honour,” adding, ” I have so much respect and admiration for Jimi, his music and fans…Happy 80th Jimi.”
See the sweet photos of Hadid and baby Khai’s holiday in the sun below.
On Friday (Oct. 28), it was announced that Zayn has been cast in the upcoming animated kids film 10 Lives.
According to Deadline, the CG-animated comedy will tell the story of “a pampered and selfish cat who takes for granted the lives he has been dealt. After carelessly losing his ninth life, he begs to be given a second chance, an opportunity to show he can learn from his mistakes. Eventually, his wish is granted but with hilarious stipulations.”
Zayn will actually voice not one, but two characters, as twins Kirk and Cameron — a pair of boys whose ultra-tough exteriors hide a deep desire to please their mom. The rest of the cast includes Mo Gilligan, Bridgerton breakout star Simone Ashley, Sophie Okonedo and Dylan Llewellyn of Derry Girls. GFM Animation is expected to present first-look footage of the film at the American Film Market.
This summer, the “Pillowtalk” singer shocked fans by revisiting his One Direction days with an unexpected solo rendition of the group’s Four-era single “Night Changes.” (The moment was actually the second time Zayn had posted a 1D song to Instagram in as many months, having also dusted off the high notes to “You & I” from 2013’s Midnight Memories in June.)
Zayn’s a capella number even prompted Louis Tomlinson to comment on their strained history in a recent interview, saying, “For me, in those videos, it showed he was reflecting. It showed that he was thinking about those times. Of course, at the same time showing off his incredible voice. But that’s why it made me feel good, ’cause it was like, ah, maybe you’re thinking about good times in the band.” However, Tomlinson kept it vague about whether he considered Zayn a friend, tossing the decision on his old bandmate.
Read more about Zayn’s casting in 10 Lives here.
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