Zayn Malik Calls Out Racism He Experienced During His Time In One Direction
Zayn Malik’s new song alludes to some of the racism he experienced during his time in the boyband One Direction.
Over the weekend, the chart-topping singer previewed a new song on Instagram, titled Fuchsia Sea, before sharing the lyrics in an Instagram story post.
In the song, Zayn can be heard rapping: “Got my back against the wall so much they think I got a brick fascination. Do you remember every conversation? ’Cause I have been conscious of every connotation.
“And while they concentrate on their elevation, I’ve got a round trip to the constellation. I’m a convert to the concert, and I did that for inflation. ’Cause I worked hard in a white band, and they still laughed at the Asian.”
Zayn shares lyrics of new song via IG story. pic.twitter.com/I44717CNHi
— ً (@ZJMCRAVE) July 5, 2025
Zayn became part of One Direction in 2010, after he and his bandmates auditioned for the seventh series of The X Factor as solo artists, but were put together as a group.
He eventually stepped away from the group in 2015, before embarking on a solo career, led by the number one hit Pillowtalk in 2016.
Last year, Zayn and the rest of One Direction were left shocked by the sudden death of Liam Payne, after he fell from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Paying an emotional tribute on Instagram at the time, Zayn wrote: “I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what l’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly.
“I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, [I have] no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are.”
Back in 2022, two years before his death, Liam gave a now-infamous interview with YouTuber Logan Paul, in which he spoke about the differences and disagreements he and Zayn had during their time in One Direction.
After generating headlines with his remarks, Liam later insisted: “That’s family. Zayn is my brother, and I will stand by him forever.”