

Zayn talks with Capital FM about his farm, favorite foods, and his new music.
Zayn premiered the second song being released from his forthcoming album with a special live performance of Alienated. Watch the performance below!

Order Issue 1610 to read the full interview at bigissueshop.com
BIG ISSUE – Global pop megastar Zayn talks to Big Issue about how his roots shaped his life and influenced his new music
Zayn Malik has given an exclusive interview with the Big Issue, which goes on sale this week to support vendors experiencing or at risk of homelessness.In it, he talks about his new album due to be released in May, Room Under the Stairs, and how his thoughts have turned back to the place he spent his early years before he became famous with One Direction.
Zayn’s latest single, “What I Am”, was released last month. Asked about its message, Zayn said: “I’m reflecting on the way that I approach situations rather than necessarily a correlation to what my original identity is. It’s just growth as a human being. I’m a man, you know; that’s what I’m talking about.”
Zayn goes on to consider how his childhood, growing up in the Yorkshire city of Bradford has influenced his life.
He said: “I do remember being really young, probably seven or eight years old, and deciding that I wouldn’t spend my entire life in my hometown. I wanted to do something unique and worthwhile.
“My original nod towards the start was that I wanted my parents to have a better house. We lived in a rented property our whole upbringing and I wanted to give them a better quality of living. So that was the original intent behind it, and then when I got to about 17 or 18, I wanted to forge my own path, write my own story and go out and see the world.”
The interview arrives as Zayn becomes an ambassador for Bradford City of Culture 2025.
Zayn said: “For Bradford to get some kudos or spotlight on them is something I’m happy about, and if I can encourage that in any way, then I’d love to be a part of it.”
Zayn also explains how over time he has realised and come to value his northern identity.
“I always initially knew how much Bradford had influenced me, even when I came to London to do The X Factor. I was instantly introduced to many different characters that I had not come across before and quickly realised that my personality and the way I am is very Northern.
“Now as a 31-year-old man, after living in America for ten years, I’ve definitely come to terms with the fact that I’m a very Northern man, which heavily influences my personality and decision-making on a daily basis.”
In a special edition of Big Issue, Zayn has assembled a range of voices from Bradford to share how the city has also shaped their lives. Contributors include Steven Frayne aka magician Dynamo, award-winning producer and artist Nia Archives as well as teachers, school students, an NHS nurse and more.





Photoshoots > Outtakes > Session 074
Read an excerpt of the article below. The transcript has been added to our Press Library, or you can read the interview at lofficielusa.com
With Room Under the Stairs, Zayn Malik is finally ready to talk.
Zayn Malik has long known how to use his voice.His sharp, full-bodied tenor helped One Direction become one of the world’s best-selling boy bands of all time. One of the most visible pop stars of Asian descent working outside Asia, he sang in Urdu, the lingua franca of Pakistan, on his 2016 solo debut Mind of Mine. At Valentino’s Fall/Winter 2024 show last January, he wore a suit emblazoned with the words WE’RE SO OLD, WE HAVE BECOME YOUNG AGAIN in all caps—a wink, perhaps, to the fact that, at the age of 31, Malik is now a pop veteran with a decade and a half of experience in the public eye under his belt. (Ever the family man, he attended the Paris shows in January with his mom in tow.)
But on his new album, Room Under The Stairs, the solo artist reveals his most surprising act yet: himself. Written and recorded independently over six years, mostly from the seclusion of his farm in rural Pennsylvania, the record trades slick studio wizardry for a stripped-down acoustic sound, confessional lyrics about the messiness of love and parenthood, and the many existential questions that come with entering one’s fourth decade. (Malik shares a three-year-old daughter, Khai, with his former girlfriend, model Gigi Hadid.) In one of his first interviews in years (he appeared on Alex Cooper’s hit podcast “Call Her Daddy” last summer), the press-shy singer discusses his daughter’s budding vocal talents, working with the legendary music producer Dave Cobb (who has worked with Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, and more), and the peace of mind that comes with knowing that no one out there knows what they’re doing.
ALEX HAWGOOD: You’ve spent the past few years writing songs for your latest album at your home in rural Pennsylvania. What is your creative process like working from home?
ZAYN MALIK: When I get time to myself, I spend the majority of my time in the studio—I’ve built, like, a cabin studio. Even when I release a new record, I’m always thinking a few years ahead. That’s kind of how this album was created. It overlapped with working on some stuff that I was going to put on my previous record, Nobody Is Listening. I’m able to do it every day, because that’s been how I spend a lot of time here on the farm—just relaxing and spending time with my daughter.
AH: Another creative space that you share with your daughter is your vegetable garden.
ZM: Yeah, I love gardening. I got into it when I moved out here, probably about seven years ago. And now I get to share that experience with her, because I’ve gotten a bit better at things. My crops are actually edible and usable. So it’s really fun to take her out to the garden and show her the vegetable patch and all the different things in the garden, you know, what she can eat and what she can’t. She’s really interested in it. She loves raw vegetables. I’ll just find her, like, munching on a piece of broccoli, which is a parent’s worst nightmare, you know? [Laughs.] Whatever way you can get veggies into your kids, right?

It was announced today that Zayn will be Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture’s Ambassador.
He will be taking part in citywide activations and special projects that will celebrate all that the area has to offer, focusing on the rich diversity, culture, and youth of the city. Activations and projects will be announced later in the year.

Zayn sat down with Sean Evans for Hot Ones to talk about pepper farming, his new music, and saving Harry Styles from pyro during a One Direction show.


Events > 2024 > Mar 14 | Hot Ones

Zayn made a quick appearance on The Tonight Show last night to promote his new single and announce his new album on late night. Watch the video below and photos have been added into the photo gallery!




Events > 2024 > Mar 13 | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Zayn has officially announced the title and release date for his fourth album — Room Under The Stairs.
The album is set to release on May 17, 2024! Click the link below to presave!
Follow the link below to pre-save Zayn’s new single “What I Am”, set to be released on March 15th!
The animated film will be released by Sky Cinema on April 5th!