#zayn billboard hot 100

[zot3-flopped]

Harry Styles vs Zayn Malik on the Billboard Hot 100

Harry: 22/37 songs have charted on the Hot 100

Zayn: 8/101 songs have charted on the Hot 100

Source:

https://x.com/Hsavedlove/status/1769268287467053201?s=20

[louisupdates]

With the first quarter of the 21st century coming to an end, Billboard has been looking back on the 25 Greatest Pop Stars of the Past 25 Years. Below, we take a deeper look into the solo career of Louis Tomlinson — one of the members of our No. 22 pop stars, One Direction — and how his songwriting, originally honed in 1D, has helped him develop into one of the group’s strongest breakout artists.

When One Direction officially went on hiatus in 2015, Zayn Malik dropped Mind of Mine in 2016, Harry Styles’ eponymous LP dropped in 2017, Niall Horan followed with Flicker later that year and Liam Payne’s First Time EP arrived in 2018. Louis Tomlinson, however, took his time with releasing a full project – and entered an era of healing and self-discovery that saw him realizing his potential as one of 1D’s most self-actualized artists, even if not necessarily the starriest.

Even before going solo, Tomlinson showed he was meant for breakthrough success while in One Direction. Longtime Directioners know that Tomlinson wrote more songs in One Direction than any other member, penning long standing hits including “Perfect,” “History” and “Fool’s Gold” and proving his fortitude as a songwriter who understands lyrical cleverness and crafting the indescribably catchy refrains necessary to produce arena-ready hits. Beyond his musical abilities, Tomlinson’s sense of humor and friendship with fellow 1D members also ensured fans had a soft spot for him.

However, when he did go solo, the road was slippery at first. He teamed up with Steve Aoki for his first solo release “Just Hold On” in December 2016, and just three days before its release, Tomlinson’s mother died of leukemia. He still took the stage to perform the song on The X Factor, the first public testament to the star’s strength and dedication to his musical craft.

Tomlinson’s resilience amid adversity continued as he navigated the music industry. The star signed with Epic Records in 2017 and released a few singles – including “Miss You” and the Bebe Rexha and Digital Farm Animals-assisted “Back to You.” While the infectious hooks to both tracks could have easily solidified Tomlinson as a pop mainstay, the two singles didn’t perform as well as expected on the charts: “Just Hold On” peaked at No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and “Back to You” hit No. 40, while “Miss You” missed the chart altogether. Ultimately, a full-length album never materialized with Epic Records.

Tomlinson shortly got back on his feet, as he always does, and signed with Arista Records in 2019 – where he honed his talent as a songwriter, this time feeling comfortable enough to tackle more vulnerable topics in his music. His first release under the label was “Two of Us,” a heart-wrenching tribute to his late mother. “I know you’ll be looking down/ Swear I’m gonna make you proud/ I’ll be living one life for the two of us,” he sings in the chorus, giving a glimpse into what would soon become a musical career full of honesty and vulnerability.

Unfortunately, shortly after its release, another hardship struck Tomlinson’s life when his 18-year-old sister Fizzy died of an accidental overdose. Both the release of “Two of Us” and the tragedy that followed showed just how close Tomlinson’s community of fans is, as they showered him with online love and support in the months that followed.

After taking some much-deserved time to heal, he announced in August of that year that his debut solo album was on its way – and shortly after, he released a follow-up single, the rock-leaning, drumline-driven “Kill My Mind.” Tomlinson admitted that he finally found his stride. “I’m actually really proud and relieved to finally find my place, find my lane musically,” he told Hits Radio Breakfast at the time, indicating a moment of relief amid his turbulent few years.

Tomlinson’s debut solo album, Walls, arrived in January 2020 and while it hit the Billboard 200‘s top 10, it was met with mixed reviews from critics, who suggested that the heart he wanted to portray wasn’t quite there. His growth outside of commercial success proved otherwise, as he had been spending the past few years building a solid identity not only as an artist, but also as a person. While some of the other One Direction alums are still finding their footing with their solo sounds to this day, Tomlinson grew strongly into an instrumentation-focused pop-rock artist whose lyrics go beyond the cookie cutter sentiments you might expect from a former boy band member.

And soon, all the hard work – both personally and musically – finally paid off. Faith in the Future, his 2022 sophomore solo album, debuted at No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart. In the United States, Faith In The Future debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, and at No. 5 on the all-genre Billboard 200, his highest-charting set yet on both tallies. The album’s success, as well his sold-out live shows on its accompanying tour, not only showed the still-standing Directioner devotion to Tomlinson, but also made it clear that he picked up a slew of new fans along the way.

Tomlinson’s self-awareness was evident on the album’s lead single, “Bigger Than Me.” “When somebody told me I would change/ I was afraid, I don’t know why/ ‘Cause so does the world outside, I’ve realized/ It’s bigger than me,” he sings – indicating that the key for solo success all along was being himself, and letting go of the pressure that fame brings.

While Tomlinson has still yet to score the major chart hits stateside that his 1D bandmates essentially achieved right away – and has been more focused on his 28 clothing line the past couple years – he’s proven that he doesn’t need traditional pop crossover success to have a bright future ahead of him. With another couple albums and tours that continue to establish his identity and expand his artistry, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him making the jump to arenas in the not-distant future. Louis’ solo career may not have gotten off to the perfect start, but it just might end up being perfect for him in the long-term anyway.

[dailytomlinson]

A deep dive into Louis Tomlinson's career, both solo and in One Direction, and how he's grown into one of pop music's most thoughtful songwriters.

With the first quarter of the 21st century coming to an end, Billboard has been looking back on the 25 Greatest Pop Stars of the Past 25 Years. Below, we take a deeper look into the solo career of Louis Tomlinson — one of the members of our No. 22 pop stars, One Direction — and how his songwriting, originally honed in 1D, has helped him develop into one of the group’s strongest breakout artists.

When One Direction officially went on hiatus in 2015, Zayn Malik dropped Mind of Mine in 2016, Harry Styles’ eponymous LP dropped in 2017, Niall Horan followed with Flicker later that year and Liam Payne’s First Time EP arrived in 2018. Louis Tomlinson, however, took his time with releasing a full project – and entered an era of healing and self-discovery that saw him realizing his potential as one of 1D’s most self-actualized artists, even if not necessarily the starriest.

Even before going solo, Tomlinson showed he was meant for breakthrough success while in One Direction. Longtime Directioners know that Tomlinson wrote more songs in One Direction than any other member, penning long standing hits including “Perfect,” “History” and “Fool’s Gold” and proving his fortitude as a songwriter who understands lyrical cleverness and crafting the indescribably catchy refrains necessary to produce arena-ready hits. Beyond his musical abilities, Tomlinson’s sense of humor and friendship with fellow 1D members also ensured fans had a soft spot for him.

However, when he did go solo, the road was slippery at first. He teamed up with Steve Aoki for his first solo release “Just Hold On” in December 2016, and just three days before its release, Tomlinson’s mother died of leukemia. He still took the stage to perform the song on The X Factor, the first public testament to the star’s strength and dedication to his musical craft.

Tomlinson’s resilience amid adversity continued as he navigated the music industry. The star signed with Epic Records in 2017 and released a few singles – including “Miss You” and the Bebe Rexha and Digital Farm Animals-assisted “Back to You.” While the infectious hooks to both tracks could have easily solidified Tomlinson as a pop mainstay, the two singles didn’t perform as well as expected on the charts: “Just Hold On” peaked at No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and “Back to You” hit No. 40, while “Miss You” missed the chart altogether. Ultimately, a full-length album never materialized with Epic Records.

Tomlinson shortly got back on his feet, as he always does, and signed with Arista Records in 2019 – where he honed his talent as a songwriter, this time feeling comfortable enough to tackle more vulnerable topics in his music. His first release under the label was “Two of Us,” a heart-wrenching tribute to his late mother. “I know you’ll be looking down/ Swear I’m gonna make you proud/ I’ll be living one life for the two of us,” he sings in the chorus, giving a glimpse into what would soon become a musical career full of honesty and vulnerability.

Unfortunately, shortly after its release, another hardship struck Tomlinson’s life when his 18-year-old sister Fizzy died of an accidental overdose. Both the release of “Two of Us” and the tragedy that followed showed just how close Tomlinson’s community of fans is, as they showered him with online love and support in the months that followed.

After taking some much-deserved time to heal, he announced in August of that year that his debut solo album was on its way – and shortly after, he released a follow-up single, the rock-leaning, drumline-driven “Kill My Mind.” Tomlinson admitted that he finally found his stride. “I’m actually really proud and relieved to finally find my place, find my lane musically,” he told Hits Radio Breakfast at the time, indicating a moment of relief amid his turbulent few years.

Tomlinson’s debut solo album, Walls, arrived in January 2020 and while it hit the Billboard 200‘s top 10, it was met with mixed reviews from critics, who suggested that the heart he wanted to portray wasn’t quite there. His growth outside of commercial success proved otherwise, as he had been spending the past few years building a solid identity not only as an artist, but also as a person. While some of the other One Direction alums are still finding their footing with their solo sounds to this day, Tomlinson grew strongly into an instrumentation-focused pop-rock artist whose lyrics go beyond the cookie cutter sentiments you might expect from a former boy band member.

And soon, all the hard work – both personally and musically – finally paid off. Faith in the Future, his 2022 sophomore solo album, debuted at No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart. In the United States, Faith In The Future debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, and at No. 5 on the all-genre Billboard 200, his highest-charting set yet on both tallies. The album’s success, as well his sold-out live shows on its accompanying tour, not only showed the still-standing Directioner devotion to Tomlinson, but also made it clear that he picked up a slew of new fans along the way.

Tomlinson’s self-awareness was evident on the album’s lead single, “Bigger Than Me.” “When somebody told me I would change/ I was afraid, I don’t know why/ ‘Cause so does the world outside, I’ve realized/ It’s bigger than me,” he sings – indicating that the key for solo success all along was being himself, and letting go of the pressure that fame brings.

While Tomlinson has still yet to score the major chart hits stateside that his 1D bandmates essentially achieved right away – and has been more focused on his 28 clothing line the past couple years – he’s proven that he doesn’t need traditional pop crossover success to have a bright future ahead of him. With another couple albums and tours that continue to establish his identity and expand his artistry, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him making the jump to arenas in the not-distant future. Louis’ solo career may not have gotten off to the perfect start, but it just might end up being perfect for him in the long-term anyway.

[dreamings-free]

A deep dive into Louis Tomlinson's career, both solo and in One Direction, and how he's grown into one of pop music's most thoughtful songwriters.

Sep 3rd 2024 by Rania Aniftos

With the first quarter of the 21st century coming to an end, Billboard has been looking back on the 25 Greatest Pop Stars of the Past 25 Years. Below, we take a deeper look into the solo career of Louis Tomlinson — one of the members of our No. 22 pop stars, One Direction — and how his songwriting, originally honed in 1D, has helped him develop into one of the group’s strongest breakout artists.

When One Direction officially went on hiatus in 2015, Zayn Malik dropped Mind of Mine in 2016, Harry Styles’ eponymous LP dropped in 2017, Niall Horan followed with Flicker later that year and Liam Payne’s First Time EP arrived in 2018. Louis Tomlinson, however, took his time with releasing a full project – and entered an era of healing and self-discovery that saw him realizing his potential as one of 1D’s most self-actualized artists, even if not necessarily the starriest.

Even before going solo, Tomlinson showed he was meant for breakthrough success while in One Direction. Longtime Directioners know that Tomlinson wrote more songs in One Direction than any other member, penning long standing hits including “Perfect,” “History” and “Fool’s Gold” and proving his fortitude as a songwriter who understands lyrical cleverness and crafting the indescribably catchy refrains necessary to produce arena-ready hits. Beyond his musical abilities, Tomlinson’s sense of humor and friendship with fellow 1D members also ensured fans had a soft spot for him.

[ embedded video: One Direction - History (Official Video) ]

However, when he did go solo, the road was slippery at first. He teamed up with Steve Aoki for his first solo release “Just Hold On” in December 2016, and just three days before its release, Tomlinson’s mother died of leukemia. He still took the stage to perform the song on The X Factor, the first public testament to the star’s strength and dedication to his musical craft.

Tomlinson’s resilience amid adversity continued as he navigated the music industry. The star signed with Epic Records in 2017 and released a few singles – including “Miss You” and the Bebe Rexha and Digital Farm Animals-assisted “Back to You.” While the infectious hooks to both tracks could have easily solidified Tomlinson as a pop mainstay, the two singles didn’t perform as well as expected on the charts: “Just Hold On” peaked at No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 and “Back to You” hit No. 40, while “Miss You” missed the chart altogether. Ultimately, a full-length album never materialized with Epic Records.

[ embedded video: Louis Tomlinson - Back to You (Official Video) ft. Bebe Rexha ]

Tomlinson shortly got back on his feet, as he always does, and signed with Arista Records in 2019 – where he honed his talent as a songwriter, this time feeling comfortable enough to tackle more vulnerable topics in his music. His first release under the label was “Two of Us,” a heart-wrenching tribute to his late mother. “I know you’ll be looking down/ Swear I’m gonna make you proud/ I’ll be living one life for the two of us,” he sings in the chorus, giving a glimpse into what would soon become a musical career full of honesty and vulnerability.

Unfortunately, shortly after its release, another hardship struck Tomlinson’s life when his 18-year-old sister Fizzy died of an accidental overdose. Both the release of “Two of Us” and the tragedy that followed showed just how close Tomlinson’s community of fans is, as they showered him with online love and support in the months that followed.

After taking some much-deserved time to heal, he announced in August of that year that his debut solo album was on its way – and shortly after, he released a follow-up single, the rock-leaning, drumline-driven “Kill My Mind.” Tomlinson admitted that he finally found his stride. “I’m actually really proud and relieved to finally find my place, find my lane musically,” he told Hits Radio Breakfast at the time, indicating a moment of relief amid his turbulent few years.

[ embedded video: Louis Tomlinson - Kill My Mind (Official Video) ]

Tomlinson’s debut solo album, Walls, arrived in January 2020 and while it hit the Billboard 200‘s top 10, it was met with mixed reviews from critics, who suggested that the heart he wanted to portray wasn’t quite there. His growth outside of commercial success proved otherwise, as he had been spending the past few years building a solid identity not only as an artist, but also as a person. While some of the other One Direction alums are still finding their footing with their solo sounds to this day, Tomlinson grew strongly into an instrumentation-focused pop-rock artist whose lyrics go beyond the cookie cutter sentiments you might expect from a former boy band member.

And soon, all the hard work – both personally and musically – finally paid off. Faith in the Future, his 2022 sophomore solo album, debuted at No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart. In the United States, Faith In The Future debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, and at No. 5 on the all-genre Billboard 200, his highest-charting set yet on both tallies. The album’s success, as well his sold-out live shows on its accompanying tour, not only showed the still-standing Directioner devotion to Tomlinson, but also made it clear that he picked up a slew of new fans along the way.

Tomlinson’s self-awareness was evident on the album’s lead single, “Bigger Than Me.” “When somebody told me I would change/ I was afraid, I don’t know why/ ‘Cause so does the world outside, I’ve realized/ It’s bigger than me,” he sings – indicating that the key for solo success all along was being himself, and letting go of the pressure that fame brings.

While Tomlinson has still yet to score the major chart hits stateside that his 1D bandmates essentially achieved right away – and has been more focused on his 28 clothing line the past couple years – he’s proven that he doesn’t need traditional pop crossover success to have a bright future ahead of him. With another couple albums and tours that continue to establish his identity and expand his artistry, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him making the jump to arenas in the not-distant future. Louis’ solo career may not have gotten off to the perfect start, but it just might end up being perfect for him in the long-term anyway.

[zaynjmsource]

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.”

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.

[mr-styles]

Harry Styles' Sonic Evolution: How He Grew From Teen Pop Idol To Ever-Evolving Superstar

Harry's House' not only gives Harry Styles his most GRAMMY recognition yet — it serves as a testament to how much he's expanded his sound over his already storied career.

GABRIEL AIKINS | GRAMMYS/JAN 25, 2023 - 12:02 PM

Watching 16 year-old Harry Styles walk onto the stage for his "The X Factor" audition in 2010, it's remarkable how little some things have changed in the following 13 years. Though his rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" was rather unpolished — even receiving a "no" from judge Louis Walsh — his magnetic charisma and natural talent were more than evident. And at just 16, Styles clearly knew he was on the right path.

"Singing is what I want to do," Styles said in an interview before his audition. "And if the people who can make that happen for me don't think that I should be doing that, then it's a major setback in my plans."

Of course, so much else has changed in the ensuing decade. Styles was tabbed alongside other contestants Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik to form the group One Direction. As the band stormed the charts and captured the love of fans globally, Styles grew into his abilities — and now, he's achieved a rarified level of fame. 

Even after being part of one of the most successful boy bands of all time, Styles has reached new heights of superstardom in his own right. In addition to selling millions of albums and selling out arenas around the world, he's starred in four feature films and became the first male cover star of Vogue magazine. The depth of Styles' charisma and drive he's shown from that first audition have made him an all-encompassing star like few before him.

While Styles was a solo star as soon as he emerged in 2017 — selling out his first-ever solo tour and debuting his self-titled first album atop the Billboard 200 — he has dominated the 2020s. His second album, 2019's Fine Line, spawned his first No. 1 hit in the U.S. in 2020 with "Watermelon Sugar," which also earned him his first GRAMMY in 2021 for Best Pop Solo Performance. But 2022 was the year he took his stardom to the next level — and it all began with an invitation to Harry's House. 

The lead single of Styles' third album, "As It Was," became undeniable, debuting atop the Billboard Hot 100 and spending 15 weeks there — the most in history for a British act. And when Harry's House arrived less than two months after "As It Was," it was clear that 2022 was the year of Harry. 

The album, featuring smooth electronic beats and funky bass riffs, went platinum in the UK and US, put four songs into the Billboard Top 10 at the same time, and earned Styles the most GRAMMY nominations of his career. His six nominations for the 2023 GRAMMYs include his first in the coveted Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Record Of The Year categories; Harry's House also earned a nod for Best Pop Vocal Album and "As It Was" is up for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Music Video.

If you ask Tyler Johnson — who has co-written and co-produced the majority of Styles' three solo albums — the GRAMMY nominations may just be Styles' biggest validation yet. "It's really the music community recognizing him as Harry Styles — [his time in the band] is just another part of his resume, it no longer defines him. And that's really exciting."

In reality, Styles hardly ever let his past define him. Even Johnson sensed Styles' star power upon meeting the singer in 2015. "When I first met him, I knew a lot about him from the band, but it was obvious he was a star," he recalls. "Especially how he performed in the vocal booth, it was very brave. I was like, 'Wow, this person has no barriers.'"

With no barriers comes a willingness to always try something new — which is why the Harry Styles of Harry's House sounds much different than Harry Styles of One Direction. The change was heard immediately back in 2017 on his first solo single "Sign of the Times," released ahead of his self-titled debut LP later that year. It's a rock track to its core, starting with hearty piano chords and building to a crescendo of wailing electric guitar and crashing drums. This initial offering was a sign of what was to come, as Harry Styles is built on these rock sounds from beginning to end. 

Even if reviews weren't outright surprised by this sound, they noted the seemingly brand new, well, direction. "Few people probably predicted the 23-year-old ex-One Direction superstar to drop the kind of album that makes your uncle or your mom perk up," read Variety's review. Pitchfork mused, "If you only know one thing about Harry Styles, it's probably that the album bucks the established trends governing bids for young male solo pop stardom." Styles becoming a rock star was something new, but looking back at the totality of his work, it's not quite as surprising as it might be at first glance.

When assessing the music of One Direction, the singles will of course stand out. Tracks like "What Makes You Beautiful," "Live While We're Young," and "Best Song Ever" are big and boisterous, with infectiously fun hooks. And while each of the group's five albums had rock influences — queue the Clash-like electric guitar opening of "Live While We're Young" — they're all pop projects at their core. And the writers and producers behind them were pop masterminds, too, including Rami Yacoub, Steve Mac, Ed Sheeran, and Ryan Tedder.

By nature of an essentially constant touring schedule and working with so many other people — especially the four other members of the group — there was simply less opportunity to write. Across the 86 songs in the band's discography, Styles has writing credits on only 21 of them, whereas he serves as lead writer on every track on each of his three solo albums. 

"I think it was tough to really delve in and find out who you are as a writer when you're just kind of dipping your toe each time," Styles told Rolling Stonein 2017, recalling some of the struggles of being in a band. "We didn't get the six months to see what kind of s— you can work with."

Listening to the songs Styles did have a hand in writing for One Direction, though, the throughline of his career becomes clearer. Even the earliest tracks he co-wrote include key elements to his later songs.

The chorus of Up All Night's "Same Mistakes" takes his penchant for lyrical repetition, creating a folksy call-and-response feeling and pairing it with powerful guitar chords; he uses a similar pattern on Harry Styles' opening track "Meet Me in the Hallway." Made In The A.M. ballad "If I Could Fly" is strikingly vulnerable lyrically and melodically minimalistic; this combination is seen on Styles' solo ballads, like Fine Line's "Falling" or Harry's House's "Matilda."

Styles' solo success also stems from his versatility. Alongside folksy ballads, he has an ear for rock songs to fill a stadium (and after completely selling out his 2021 and 2022 Love On Tour stretches, stadiums may be where he's headed next). "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" is one of One Direction's most anthemic tracks, tailor made for karaoke or shouting alongside a crowd. It's no surprise Styles is the sole One Direction member on the writing credits for it, and you can hear that same exuberance on his solo rock anthems, from Fine Line’s ultra cool smash "Watermelon Sugar" to the funk rock-infused "Late Night Talking" on Harry's House. 

In a 2017 New York Times interview, Styles explained his rock influence — and really, his musicality as a whole — stems from his own musical tastes. "I really wanted to make an album that I wanted to listen to," he said of Harry Styles. "That was the only way I knew I wouldn't look back on it and regret it. It was more, 'What do I want to sit and listen to?' rather than, 'How do I shake up compared to what's on radio right now?'"

Judging by the elevated sounds on Harry's House, Styles' musical interests have grown as he has evolved as an artist. While there are hints of his previous writing and growth on the album, Styles incorporated so many new elements, and that's what makes Harry's House so interesting and so refreshing. 

Funk pervades the record, with synths and stylized loops fleshing out tracks like "Music For A Sushi Restaurant" and "Keep Driving." There's a constant sense of playfulness throughout all 13 tracks — something that was apparent to Styles' collaborators long before the world got to hear it. 

"Harry just said that he's never been more proud of anything, and Tom [Hull, better known as producer Kid Harpoon] and I are just there for the ride," Johnson says. "We didn't feel too caught up in the kind of reality of who he is and having to put out an album very specific to the commerce side of it. It was a lot of having fun and just kind of burying our heads in the sand and enjoying doing it. That was very different from Fine Line."

Styles can seemingly feel his evolution himself, too. In a wide-ranging interview with Zane Lowe upon the album's release in May 2022, Styles revealed that he tried not to take direct sonic influences on this record like he had in the past. "I kinda felt like you can reference things by the emotions that they evoke," he said.

The same interview points out how much more comfortable Styles has become with being flexible and fluid, both in his own writing and his collaborators. And now that he's found his right-hand men in Johnson and Hull, he finds it easier to bring his ideas to life. This has allowed Styles to continue to expand his writing, and that resulted in an album that launched his superstardom to even greater heights — and showcased Harry Styles simply having fun.

Now 28 (almost 29!), Styles has been a beloved star for nearly half of his life. In that time, fans have watched his musical abilities mature, morph and expand; he has shown a willingness to always have an eye on what comes next — and that forward thinking paid off in a big way in 2022. However he evolves next, it seems Styles will never lose the drive and endearing charm the world first saw on the "X Factor" stage over a decade ago.

"He's a very similar person. He's a very consistent, loyal, kind person, very focused. That is all the same," Johnson insists. "He's just doing what people do when they do it more and more — he's focusing in on who he is more, he's gaining confidence, and he's becoming more and more himself — which is a very potent thing."

via Grammy.com

[keepingupwithzaynmalik]

ZAYN Signs With Mercury Records Ahead of New Music

The singer, who was previously signed to RCA Records, has a new single coming "very soon this summer."

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. VIA BILLBOARD

[voulezloux]

Almost instantaneously, their song hits number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Their business email was flooded with requests for interviews and to play at their shows. Their Instagram, both personal and band, gained thousands of followers. Suddenly, they weren’t just Zayn, Niall, and Louis, nearly uni dropouts.

They are Funeral for Fire. And they’re about to take Harry Styles’ crown.

dubbed the modern elton john, harry is the biggest thing to come to pop music. topping the charts, there isn’t anyone who can dethrone him. until pop punk trio funeral for fire emerges on the scene.

i’m still standing (after all this time) (22.5k)

[zradfordhq]

Icarus Falls is the second solo studio album. It was released on 14 December 2018, as a double album by RCA Records. Originally planned for 2017, the album was delayed so that ZAYN could focus on the aesthetic and sound the album would adopt, marking a shift from the visual identity used on his debut studio album, Mind of Mine (2016). Icarus Falls is a concept album influenced by Greek Mythology and Icarus, addressing themes such as self-love, finding yourself again as a person, and hope.

Influenced by the double album structure, ZAYN incorporated several sonic elements in addition to R&B, such as pop, funk rock, trap and electropop. He recruited Alan Sampson, MakeYouKnowLove and Malay, who had already worked with Zayn on his previous album, adding Brian Lee, Dan Grech, Timbaland and the duo Saltwives to the production team.

Six international singles —"Let Me", "Entertainer, "Sour Diesel", "Too Much" featuring Timbaland, "Fingers", and "No Candle No Light" featuring Nicki Minaj—supported the album; the first peaked at seventy-three on the Billboard Hot 100. "Rainberry" and "Good Years" preceded the album as promotional tracks.

Icarus Falls is a concept album inspired by the Greek myth of Icarus. He recalls the story of Icarus, who was told by his father to not fly too high but not too low with his pair of wings, rather to follow his path of flight. Overcome with thrill because he could now fly, Icarus flew too close to the sun, where the beeswax binding his wings together melted, thus destroying his set of wings. ZAYN compares the legend to the ups and downs of his relationship.

[beccasafan]

One Direction on Jeopardy!

2012-05-07: POP CULTURE You might stay "Up All Night" listening to this boy band heard here One Direction 2013-06-28: ROCK GROUP NAMES This "Up All Night" British boy band chose its name because it would sound good when announced on "The X Factor" One Direction 2013-07-30: MUSIC One Direction is Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson & this lad from Cheshire Harry Styles 2014-02-19: 21st CENTURY MUSIC "Apologize" if you get this Ryan Tedder band mixed up with One Direction One Republic 2014-05-22: POP MUSIC OF TODAY This British boy band gave us the immodestly titled "Best Song Ever" One Direction 2014-07-21: FASHION STARS The last name of this fashionable member of One Direction is a synonym for "fashions" Styles 2014-12-04: "N"TERTAINMENT First names in One Direction are Harry, Liam, Zayn, Louis & this one Niall 2015-06-15: NEW MUSICAL SUPERGROUPS Rage Against the Direction Rage Against the Machine & One Direction 2016-04-12: POP MUSIC In 2015 Zayn Malik officially quit this band One Direction 2016-09-12: "BEST" WISHES A lyric by One Direction reminisces, "And we danced all night to" this "the best song ever" 2016-10-26: MUSICAL ACTS In 2016 this end-of-the-alphabet refugee from One Direction debuted at No. 1 with his first solo album Zayn Malik 2016-11-09: POP CULTURE In 2016 this member of One Direction became a dad to a lad named Freddie Louis Tomlinson 2017-02-14: TIME TO PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER A song by them says, "The story of my life, I take her home, I drive all night to keep her warm" One Direction 2017-05-17: WOMEN OF MUSIC Nicknamed "T-Swizzle", she teamed with One Directioner Zayn Malik for "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" Taylor Swift 2018-02-06: ENTERTAINE"D" Harry Styles made his big-screen acting debut in this World War II-set film of 2017 Dunkirk 2018-04-06: THEIR BIGGEST BILLBOARD HITS "Best Song Ever" One Direction 2018-07-09: BOYS IN THE BAND Liam, Harry, Louis, Niall One Direction 2019-01-14: DRESSED ALIKE Back in 2013 Victoria Beckham & this "fashionable" One Direction member wore the same Burberry button-down shirt Harry Styles 2019-05-02: "FOR" A SONG Zayn Malik & Taylor Swift teamed up on this song from "Fifty Shades Darker" "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" 2019-06-10: "GOLD" RECORDS One Direction, Fitz & the Tantrums & Graham Parker & the Rumour have all recorded songs titled this "Fool's Gold" 2019-06-21: POP MUSIC Here's a "Sign Of The Times" -- he's a real Cheshire cat Harry Styles 2019-06-27: ON YOUTUBE Among the music videos spoofed on Shane Dawson's channel are One Direction's "Story Of My Life" & her "Wrecking Ball" Miley Cyrus 2020-04-10: MODERN MUSIC This member of One Direction had No. 1 solo albums with his self-titled solo debut & "Fine Line" Harry Styles 2020-04-29: BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS Named Top New Artist in 2017, Zayn was formerly a member of this group that won the award in 2013 One Direction 2021-05-18: PLAYING TODAY'S HITS "Adore You" was a post-boy band hit for this Brit Harry Styles 2021-11-30: A SWEET READ A Richard Brautigan post-apocalyptic novel title mentions this fruit's "Sugar", just like Harry Styles did in a hit song watermelon 2022-01-07: THEIR FIRST TOP 10 SOLO HIT "Pillowtalk" in 2016, by a former boy bander Zayn (Malik) 2022-09-20: ENTERTAIN "YOU" Harry Styles befriends a lonely fish in the video for this solo 2019 hit that says, "I'd walk through fire for you" "Adore You" 2022-11-15: PLAYING THE HITS OF 2022 "As It Was", a solo song by this Brit, took one direction to the top spot on the Hot 100 Styles

2022-12-05: A PACK OF LIES One Direction sang of these title 3-word fibs, "you like playing games" "Little White Lies"

[smallboyonherbike]

🎤🎶

[zot3-flopped]

Did you know where Zayn landed on the Billboard Charts. I tried searching and nothing would show up. Is it because they only list the top 100? I didn't see his fans bragging so I figured it must be very low.

He didn't chart in the top 100 of the Hot 100.

[sizzlingpatrolfox]

Is this Jungkook going the pillowtalk route ?!?!?😂

LOL I would've believed it but they said it's a fun song apparently? I guess you mean him coming from a boygroup to possibly doing a sexy song with a woman.

Gosh, zayn was really so iconic for that (not the MV, just how good the song was and still is; literally timeless). It was one of those things that I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the MV dropped. He debuted #1 on billboard hot 100 too, like Jimin.

[biographygen]

Zayn Malik Biography, Net Worth, Early Life, Career, Girlfriend

Full NameZain Javadd MalikNet Worth $75 MillionDate Of Birth12 January 1993Age31 yearsGenderMaleHeight5 Feet 9 Inches

Zayn Malik Biograph

    Born in Bradford, England, Zayn Malik is the daughter of Pakistani father and English-Irish mother. Her parents are Tricia (Brannan) and Yaser Malik. He developed a passion for singing and acting at a young age, and at the age of 17, he took part in The X Factor, a television competition. The X Factor following judges Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell's decision to combine him with fellow contestants Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson to form a new act. In order to focus on his solo career, Malik left the band in 2015 after they achieved enormous success. After moving to Los Angeles and signing with RCA Records, ZAYN collaborated with James "Malay" Ho (Frank Ocean, Big Boi) on his solo project. His full-length debut album Mind of Mine was released on March 25, He then started working on his Versus Versace link, which is scheduled for release in May 2017. Malik also agreed to executive produce the upcoming television series BOYS with Universal Pictures and Law & Order creator Dick Wolf in August of 2016. With her collaboration with Taylor Swift on the song "I Don't Want To Live Forever" from the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack, ZAYN made a comeback to the music scene towards the end of 2016.   Full NameZain Javadd MalikNicknameZayn, DJ Malik, Bradford Bad BoyPorfessionSinger-songwriter, Actor,Physical Height Eye Colour Hair Colour 5 Feet 9 Inches Hazel Brown BrownWeight65 KGDate Of Birth12 January 1993Age31 YearsNet Worth $75 MillionNationalityBritishHometownEast Bowling, Bradford, EnglandBirthplaceBradford, England. United KingdomReligionIslam, (Muslim)Educational QualificationEnglish Degree at UniversitySchoolLower Fields Primary School and Tong High School  in BradfordFavourite FoodChickenFavourite SongThriller By Michael JacksonFavourite AnimalLionFavourite ColourBlackMarital StatusUnmarriedParents Name: Father Mother Yaser Malik  Trisha MalikBrother SisterNon  Doniya, Waliyha & Safaa MalikGirlfriend's NameGeneva Lane (2010) Rebecca Ferguson (2011) Stephanie Davis (2011) Perrie Edwards (2011-2015) Gigi Hadid (2015-2021) Selena Gomez (2023)  

Zayn Malik Net Worth

    British musician Zayn Malik is worth a cool $75 million. Zayn Malik gained notoriety primarily as a member of the well-liked boy band One Direction. In addition, he has had a very prosperous solo career.  

Zayn Malik Early Life

    In Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, on January 12, 1993, Zain Javadd Malik gave birth to Zayn Malik. His upbringing was in East Bowling, and he is the son of Yaser and Tricia Malik. He received his diploma from Bradford's Tong High School. Because of his mixed Pakistani and Irish/English ancestry, he was frequently the target of jokes and cruel remarks during his school years, which made them less than ideal. Despite coming from an Islamic family, Zayn no longer considers himself to be a Muslim. He participated in several school productions as an adolescent and took performing arts classes. He got his start in rap writing in high school. His original plan was to become an English teacher before he started his musical career.

Zayn Malik Career

    In July 2015, Malik announced he had signed a recording contract with RCA Records following his split from One Direction. First solo on-camera interview with Zane Lowe for Beats 1 on Apple Music. The lead single from the album available in January 2016. The song debuted at number one in a number of countries, including the US "Billboard" Hot 100 and the US Singles Chart. Malik rose to 6 on the "Billboard" Artist 100 Chart thanks to the single. Numerous countries saw it peak at number one, including the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and the United States, where he made history as the first male solo artist from Britain to debut at number one with his debut album. The lead single from Malik's upcoming album, "Icarus Falls," "Let Me," was released in April 2018. Malik and Zhavia Ward recorded a cover of "A Whole New World" in 2019 for the soundtrack of the "Aladdin" movie. The electropop song "Flames," which he wrote and recorded. November 2019 saw the release of their song. Zayn's third studio album, "Nobody is Listening," features the lead single "Better," which was released in September 2020. His first release, "Vibez," was on January 8, 2021, and his album "Nobody is Listening" followed on January 15, 2021.  

Zayn Malik Girlfriend

  Geneva Lane (2010)  

  After meeting Zayn Malik while they were both on The X Factor, Geneva Lane and Malik had a brief romantic relationship in 2010. It's unclear how long they dated, but it doesn't appear like they ended things well. Malik's abrupt and widely reported breakup with Perrie Edwards, whom he dated from 2011 to 2015, was met with immediate support from Lane for the Little Mix singer. She shared her thoughts on social media, saying that she had expected the relationship to end. There had to be some unresolved matter involving Malik and Lane.   Rebecca Ferguson (2011)  

  Malik and British singer Rebecca Ferguson first connected on The X Factor, and their relationship grew more passionate and flirtatious when the show toured in 2011. Unfortunately, their relationship didn't last long either, as they called it quits on each other after just four months. Ferguson referred to their time together as her "first mistake" in a 2013 interview with The Independent. "I was 23 and he was 18," she said, expressing regret over the age difference. It wouldn't have created a stir if the roles had been reversed, with a 23-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman. But it was significant in our situation. Ferguson acknowledged her ignorance at the time. "You can't always let your heart lead the way," she said in closing.   Stephanie Davis (2011)  

  That same year, Malik moved on to the English actress Stephanie Davis following his breakup with Ferguson. But like his other two high-profile relationships, this one ended after just five months. In 2016, Davis revealed that she was the one who started the breakup during her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother. She also talked briefly about their brief romance. She related an instance in which Malik called her repeatedly while she was out with her friends. She made the decision to update her phone number in response. It makes sense because Davis ended things later. Perrie Edwards (2011-2015)  

  Zayn Malik learned from his run of brief relationships and entered his first committed partnership with Little Mix singer and fellow X Factor alum Perrie Edwards. Edwards was a contestant on the show, and Malik's boy band One Direction made a special appearance. This is how the two first connected.  In August 2013, rumors of the British singer popping the question to Edwards began to circulate, following two years of low-key affairs. August 2015 saw the pop culture couple break up after a two-year engagement. Using the energy she had gained from their breakup, Edwards released the song "Shout Out to My Ex" about Malik in 2016. Gigi Hadid (2015-2021)  

  Following the end of a serious four-year relationship with Edwards, Malik turned to fashion designer Gigi Hadid for comfort. After sparking dating rumors in late 2015, Malik shared an Instagram picture of the two cuddling, and by December, they had officially announced their relationship to the world. After that, Hadid appeared in Malik's first solo music video, the two even shared a kiss. The two made their rather fashionable red carpet debut as a couple at the Met Gala in 2016 after being spotted hanging out in public on multiple occasions. In May 2018, after two years of blissful marriage, there were rumors circulating that Malik and Hadid were taking a break. Selena Gomez (2023)  

  Selena Gomez was the last high-profile person to have dated Zayn Malik. Rumors of a romantic relationship between Sel and Malik started to surface in March 2023 after the two were spotted out to dinner in New York City. Witnesses reported seeing them kissing and holding hands. This dinner date happened soon after Gomez became one of just eighteen accounts that Malik followed on Instagram, after fans on Twitter noticed that he had followed the "Better" singer.

  Read the full article

[anotherblogaboutguys]

Throwback Thursday

Here are my favorite ten songs on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart for the week ending 6/18/2016

10. Drake featuring Rihanna - "Too Good"

9. Zara Larsson and MNEK - "Never Forget You"

8. The Chainsmokers featuring Daya - "Don't Let Me Down"

7. Fifth Harmony featuring Ty Dolla Sign - "Work From Home"

6. Zayn - "Pillowtalk"

5. Mike Posner - "I Took A Pill In Ibiza"

4. Drake featuring WizKid and Kyla - "One Dance"

3. Ariana Grande - "Dangerous Woman"

2. Sia and Sean Paul - "Cheap Thrills"

1 Justin Timberlake - "Can't Stop The Feeling"

[lboogie1906]

Jeremy Biddle (born April 4, 1994) known professionally as Yung Bleu or Bleu is a rapper and singer. He is known for his 2020 single “You’re Mines Still”, which peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 after it was remixed by Canadian rapper Drake.

He was born and raised in Mobile. He started making music in 2013, releasing a string of mixtapes that had his name circulate throughout the Southern scene, and signed a deal with Columbia Records through Bad Azz Music Syndicate.

In 2017, he came back on the scene with the singles “Miss It” and “Ice on My Baby” from the mixtape Investments 4, which featured a guest appearance from YoungBoy Never Broke Again. In 2018, he released a remix for “Miss It” and for “Ice on My Baby”.

In 2020, he released the mixtape Inv 5 and the EP Bleu Vandross, which were his last releases under Columbia Records and Bad Azz Music. He signed a deal with Empire Distribution and a management deal with Dream Chasers Records. He released the EP Love Scars: The 5 Stages of Emotions, which included the single “You’re Mines Still”. A remix for “You’re Mines Still” was released through OVO Sound (2020). The remix peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100, which helped Love Scars: The 5 Stages of Emotions to enter the Billboard 200 chart.

In 2021, he released the singles “Thieves in Atlanta”, “Baddest”, and “Way More Close (Stuck in a Box)”. All three songs appeared on his debut album Moon Boy. The album features guest appearances from Drake, Gunna, Big Sean, Kehlani, Chris Brown, 2 Chainz, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Moneybagg Yo, H.E.R., and Kodak Black.

On September 16, 2022, he released “Love in the Way”, the lead single from his second studio album Tantra (2022). The album includes guest appearances by Fivio Foreign, Lucky Daye, Ty Dolla $ign, Ne-Yo, Zayn, Kelly Rowland, and Lil Wayne. He released Love Scars II, a sequel to his 2020 EP, with guest appearances by Ty Dolla $ign, Tink, and Chris Brown. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence