Shortly after devastating One Direction fans by announcing his exit from the popular boy band, Zayn Malik appears to push his luck as a solo artist. The 22-year-old heartthrob was pictured alongside hit producer Naughty Boy, and is speculated to release a solo album in 2016 under Simon Cowell’s record label Syco.

Malik announced his departure after previously signing off the band’s Asian leg of their current world tour, explaining his need to be a “normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.” However, he was seen alongside Naughty Boy at a London recording studio Saturday, leading to a speculation of a solo career and fans to questions his plans of leading a normal life.

The Sun has confirmed the news of Malik making music with the producer, and that the singer may have broken up with One Direction, but it doesn’t mean he was quitting music altogether. An insider also told the newspaper, "Zayn is now the most in-demand solo artist in the world. There's huge excitement as he's the first member who will be able to release on their own,” quoted by NY Daily News. Morevover, Simon Cowell, former “American Idol” judge and owner of the rights to distributing One Direction’s music, reportedly allowed Malik to break his contract with the band early, on the grounds that his future solo releases will be locked down by Cowell’s record label Syco.

Malik announced his departure after previously signing off the band’s Asian leg of their current world tour, explaining his need to be a “normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.” However, he was seen alongside Naughty Boy at a London recording studio Saturday, leading to a speculation of a solo career and fans to questions his plans of leading a normal life. The Sun has confirmed the news of Malik making music with the producer, and that the singer may have broken up with One Direction, but it doesn’t mean he was quitting music altogether. An insider also told the newspaper, "Zayn is now the most in-demand solo artist in the world. There's huge excitement as he's the first member who will be able to release on their own,” quoted by NY Daily News. Morevover, Simon Cowell, former “American Idol” judge and owner of the rights to distributing One Direction’s music, reportedly allowed Malik to break his contract with the band early, on the grounds that his future solo releases will be locked down by Cowell’s record label Syco.

Keeping him signed under Syco will ensure that any of Malik’s future releases will not clash with anything by One Direction, the insider added, and that although the record label would have preferred that he had stayed with the band, the group believes that the “result still works out for everyone.” Malik has also revealed that he was already at work on his debut album with Naughty Boy, who who collaborated with Sam Smith on his Grammy-winning solo debut, “In the Lonely Hour.”

The news upset 1D fans, and took to social media to vent out their frustrations, ranting away that the producer “stole” Zayn from their beloved boyband. Naughty Boy has responded to the uproar, telling 1D fans to “have a bit of faith.” Malik has also explained that prioritizing his own happiness above others’ was his main reason of leaving the band, saying that everything he ever only tried to do was for the fans and that he wasn’t happy doing that for a while. “I feel like I’m doing what’s right — right by myself and right by the boys, so I feel good,” he told The Sun.

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