Zayn Malik is a musician.
Zain Javadd `` Zayn '' Malik ( [ 'm ælɪk ] زین مالک ) ( born 12 January 1993 ) , 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 . During his time in the group , they released the albums Up All Night ( 2011 ) , Take Me Home ( 2012 ) , Midnight Memories ( 2013 ) , and Four ( 2014 ) . Malik is the recipient of several accolades , including an American Music Award and a Billboard Music Award .