Claim: Zayn Malik is European.

Zain Javadd `` Zayn '' Malik -LRB- -LSB- 'm ælɪk -RSB- زین مالک -RRB- -LRB- born 12 January 1993 -RRB- , who records mononymously as Zayn , is a British singer and songwriter . Born and raised in Bradford , Malik aspired to pursue a career in music from a young age leading him to audition as a solo artist for the British reality television music competition The X Factor in 2010 . After being eliminated as a solo performer , Malik was brought back into the competition , along with four other contestants , to form the boy band that would become known as One Direction . During his time in the group , they released the albums Up All Night -LRB- 2011 -RRB- , Take Me Home -LRB- 2012 -RRB- , Midnight Memories -LRB- 2013 -RRB- , and Four -LRB- 2014 -RRB- .   Malik split from the boy band in March 2015 and signed a solo recording contract with RCA Records . Adopting a more R&B music style , with his debut studio album Mind of Mine -LRB- 2016 -RRB- and its lead single , `` Pillowtalk '' , Malik became the first British male artist to debut at number one in both the UK and US with a debut single and debut album . Malik is the recipient of several accolades , including an American Music Award and a Billboard Music Award .