While One Direction is celebrating five years as a band together (minus one member) with tweets from Harry Styles on Twitter, their former band member Zayn Malik is making solo moves of his own. The singer has reportedly signed a deal with Turn First Artists where he will be managed by Sarah Stennet as reported by Billboard. While the London-based company works with artists including Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding, Skeme, Bishop Nehru, Lion Babe and more, Sarah Stennet started the company in 2011 with support from Universal Music Group chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge and specifically worked with Iggy Azalea in guiding her career.
While Zayn has shown musical promise with releases including the "No Type" remix released just last month, the singer has also made headlines for less pr-friendly reasons including a public Twitter feud with producer Naughty Boy. However, with a new manager and confirmation earlier this month that Zayn is still part of Simon Cowell's Syco Music roster, it's likely the two will join forces to rehab his image and launch his solo career.
Update: Zayn took to Twitter tonight (July 29) to share the news that he has signed with RCA Records. "I guess I never explained why I left," he wrote on Twitter. He goes on to explain that the reason he left the group was to pursue a solo career.
I guess I never explained why I left , it was for this moment to be given the opportunity to show you who i really am! #realmusic #RCA !!
