Zayn Malik Credits Eminem as Lifelong Musical Inspiration

Former One Direction star Zayn Malik has revealed the unexpected artist who shaped his career. He cites rapper Eminem as his primary musical inspiration. Malik opened up about this influence in a recent interview.

The singer explained how Eminem’s journey from a challenging background mirrored his own. This connection provided a powerful source of motivation for the artist.

From Bradford to Global Stardom

Malik specifically highlighted the film ‘8 Mile’ as a pivotal moment. He watched it while growing up in Bradford, England. The story of Eminem’s struggles and triumphs deeply resonated with him.

According to the BBC Radio 1 interview, Malik felt their upbringings were similar. He was inspired by the obstacles the rapper overcame. This made Eminem a permanent fixture in his personal list of top artists.

The Song That Launched a Career

Malik also reflected on the song that started his journey. He performed Mario’s ‘Let Me Love You’ for his X Factor audition. He had practiced the track relentlessly for a year beforehand.

He described the song as the one that changed his life. It holds a special place in his heart for its role in his discovery. This moment set him on the path to global fame with One Direction.

Despite that success, Malik later confessed to Dazed magazine he was not fully convinced by the band’s music. He felt the material was given to them and did not feel authentic to his own artistic identity.

Zayn Malik’s admiration for Eminem underscores how diverse influences can shape an artist’s unique sound and personal journey in the music industry.

Thought you’d like to know

What Zayn Malik song did Eminem inspire?

The interview did not name a specific song. Malik discussed Eminem’s overall influence on his life and career. He found inspiration in the rapper’s story of overcoming adversity.

Where did Zayn Malik grow up?

Zayn Malik grew up in Bradford, England. He mentioned this while describing his first time watching ‘8 Mile’. He drew parallels between his environment and Eminem’s.

What song did Zayn Malik sing on X Factor?

His first audition song was ‘Let Me Love You’ by Mario. Malik revealed he practiced it for a full year before the audition. He credits that performance with changing his life.

Why did Zayn Malik leave One Direction?

He later expressed that he wasn’t convinced by the band’s musical direction. Malik told Dazed he felt the music was inauthentic to him. He left the group in March 2015 to pursue his own sound.

Is Zayn Malik releasing new music?

The recent interview focused on his past influences and career journey. It did not announce any specific new music releases. His reflections highlight his ongoing artistic evolution.

Trusted Sources

BBC, Dazed