The world of tween fandom and pop music is in mourning today (March 23), after One Direction member Zayn Malik announced that he has officially quit the band to "be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time." As a founding member of 1D since the group's inception on The X Factor UK, Zayn has had some integral moments in the band, from high flying solos to smooth, R&B flavored verses. So, while we digest the news of this split, let's look at some of Malik's most memorable One Direction moments:
01. His Introduction, The X Factor Audition
Long before there was One Direction, there were five directionless boys, just trying to make it big in the U.K. on one of the country's best music discovery platforms: The X Factor. For the world's very first glimpse of Malik, we got his cover of Mario's "Let Me Love You." From that moment , his R&B roots and range were clear, easily getting him a "yes" from all three judges and a ticket to stardom.
02. Building the Bridge in "One Thing"
The first two singles for One Direction were crucial: how to translate a losing group on X Factor into an international success? By two nuggets of perfect pop, of course. After the successes of "What Makes You Beautiful," 1D followed up with "One Thing," a shining light in their early discography. What helped to make the song so great? Zayn's peppy bridge - he is the one who told us we have that "one thing," after all.
03. Showing off the “Little Things”
As One Direction’s sound evolved, so too did Zayn’s voice, developing into a smoky R&B croon for the ages that can also hit some of the band’s most insane high notes. The lower half of Zayn’s register was one of the stars of the 2012 acoustic hit “Steal My Girl.” He smartly kicked off this song, setting the tone for the soft, slow hit with his buttery tone. And when he duets with Liam Payne: perfection.
04. Rocking Out in “One Way or Another”
In the grand scheme of things, One Direction’s Red Nose Day 2013 single “One Way or Another” is fairly forgettable, but Zayn totally sold his verse in this track, blasting out the poppy rock song all while operating a hand camera for the always-entertaining music video.
05. That High Note in "You and I"
Over its last two albums (Midnight Memories and the now-ironically titled FOUR), One Direction's go-to high note king has been Zayn Malik. And no singular moments glisten more than his high notes at the end of "You & I." Even live, he's able to make that falsetto soar.
06. And That Even Higher Note in “Steal My Girl”
Really, he was just the go-to guy. Though ever member of 1D sold the performances on the lead FOUR single “Steal My Girl,” once again, Zayn sold the show by going into the stratosphere on the final chorus with that high note. Seriously… this is almost a note that only dogs can hear.
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