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From his early days in One Direction to his evolving solo career, Zayn Malik has consistently drawn from his South Asian roots to shape a distinct musical identity. His 2021 song, 'Tightrope' sampled 'Chaudhvi Ka Chand', blending Bollywood nostalgia with R&B, while collaborations like 'Tu Hai Kahan' further signalled his connection to the region. With his upcoming album, 'Konnakol', Malik leans even deeper into these influences, drawing from Carnatic music and the rhythmic vocal tradition it represents.
I came across a video the other day of a young actress and Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things) giving an interview, and the actress didn’t know who One Direction was. The horror and shock that flashed across Finn’s face was probably felt worldwide by anyone who grew up in the 2010s. I wouldn’t be the first to say that One Direction was a global phenomenon. There were posters on bedroom walls, unhinged fan fiction everywhere, and while their music was often dismissed as something only tween girls enjoyed, it had a rare, universal resonance.
And we play no favourites here — but as a brown girl, Zayn Malik always held a special place. As the son of a British Pakistani father, he has often spoken about how music from the subcontinent has deeply influenced his sound. From Sonu Nigam to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, traces of these influences can be felt throughout his music, subtly weaving his connection to this part of the world into his work.
In the past, he has also featured on Pakistani musical trio AUR’s ‘Tu Hai Kahan’ in 2023.
On his 2021 album 'Nobody Is Listening', Zayn Malik included a track titled 'Tightrope', where he wove in the chorus from 'Chaudhvi Ka Chand' (1960), originally sung by Mohammad Rafi, reimagining it with an R&B sensibility. The song explores the vulnerability of giving yourself fully to love, and the mukhda (the main hook of an Indian song) ties it together beautifully, both Malik and Rafi admiring their beloved, comparing their beauty to the moon.
For his latest album, set to release on April 17, he turns his gaze further south, drawing inspiration from the classical traditions of the region. Titled 'Konnakol', the name is derived from Telugu and loosely translates to the recitation of rhythmic syllables. It refers to the vocal art of performing percussion patterns in Carnatic music. This intricate practice has been shaped by virtuosos such as John McLaughlin and V. Selvaganesh of Remember Shakti, as well as artists like Ranjit Barot, B. K. Chandramouli, and Dr T K Murthy.
The album also features a track titled 'Nusrat', an homage to the legendary Pakistani qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. In the 1980s, Khan played a pivotal role in bringing qawwali and other South Asian musical forms to global audiences through collaborations with artists like Michael Brook, Peter Gabriel, and Eddie Vedder.
Speaking on a podcast, Malik shared that this upcoming album leans more deeply into his “desi” heritage. While traces of these influences have appeared in his earlier work, often in subtle ways like ad-libs, Konnakol marks a more intentional shift. Much of the album is built using his own voice as a primary instrument, layering vocal textures before singing over them.
Malik’s artistry like any artist who’s a product of diaspora, is layered and complex, intertwining and weaving his two distinct cultural threads to create a sound that feels extremely personal and singular to him and his lived experiences. And his ability to incorporate these two worlds without trying to make himself fit into any box is what has made him stand apart as an artist over the years, from One Direction to his solo career.
Konnakol releases on April 17th.
Listen to the latest single, 'Die For Me' from Konnakol here.
