One Direction's Zayn Malik is going solo - but it's not what fans think.
Musician and producer Shahid "Naughty Boy" Khan confirmed that Malik will appear on his upcoming second studio album. The news comes after days of rumors that One Direction had plans to launch a solo career.
"I can't deny the fact that we have made music together. That's music we've made for One Direction and also that Zayn is going to feature on my next album," Naughty Boy told British newspaper The Sun via Australian Associated Press.
Naughty Boy recently shared a photo of himself and Malik working together in the recording studio alongside singer Emeli Sande. The two have reportedly been teasing about a possible collaboration on Twitter for months.
"We're making music and having fun," Naughty Boy said. "This is like a side gig and I don't think there's anything wrong with it. It's a good time for Zayn to showcase what he can really do. I don't think that is being fully exploited with the band because there are five people and it needs to be balanced out."
Zayn and the One Direction members are currently in Asia for their "On the Road Again" tour. The tour will later head to Africa and Europe before finally kicking off the North American leg of the tour in early July.
