5 things we learned about singer from Complex magazine

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March 25, 2016 12:50 PM

Just in time for the release of Zayn Malik’s debut solo album, Mind of Mine, the singer is alluring on the cover of Complex magazine’s April/May issue.

Just in time for the release of

Zayn is inspired by Kanye:

“I believe that success follows authenticity. People see through fake shit. They don’t want to see that; they want a real person. That’s why Kanye is so successful. He’s speaking the truth, regardless of whomever he offends, he isn’t bothered. That’s admirable.”

While in One Direction, he felt a bit stifled:

"Mainly my beard, honestly. I wasn’t allowed to keep it. Eventually, when I got older, I rebelled against it, and decided to keep it anyway. That was just because I looked older than the rest of them. That’s one of the things that is now quite cool. I get to keep my beard. I also wanted to dye my hair when I was in the band, but I wasn’t allowed to."

He’s enjoying his personal and creative independence:

"In terms of me being described as the mysterious one, that was put on me as a stigma because I didn’t get the chance to speak as much. The other boys’ personalities were much more forward. They would answer the questions. I would let that happen because, like I said, I didn’t have any creative input there. I didn’t feel like I was going to say anything about it anyway. Now I get to talk about what I’m passionate about--it’s nice to have the chance to speak."

Tupac’s 1996 album is the album that had the most impact on him creatively:

"Probably Tupac’s 'All Eyez on Me'. The songs are so real, and from a perspective of a place where somebody is not afraid to be completely 100 percent honest. He’s the first rapper to talk about the fact that his mom was a crack addict. For me, that’s courageous as fuck. He took that risk and spoke about everything in detail openly and without any shame. For me to listen to that album as I grew up, it really helped me to understand that it’s OK to be honest with your art, because people appreciate that."

Zayn is bad at being a celebrity:

“you are fully glammed up and you’re sitting with a hundred lights in your face. I’m a pretty shit celebrity all around. But when it comes to TV, that’s the worst. I hate the whole setup. When it’s interviews like this, I don’t mind. I’m just talking to a normal person. It’s when you are fully glammed up and you’re sitting with a hundred lights in your face and someone is asking you questions in front of a crowd of people--that’s when it becomes a bit strange for me.”

For the full interview, pick up a copy of the magazine. What do you guys think of the cover? Let us know below.

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