Zayn Malik’s new song references racism during his One Direction days

Zayn Malik has previewed his upcoming single “Fuchsia Sea,” in which he openly addresses the racism he endured as the only South Asian member of One Direction.

In a snippet shared on Instagram on July 5, Malik, 32, raps about his experiences within the British-Irish boy band, noting how his efforts were met with discrimination. One lyric, “I worked hard in a white band, and they still laughed at the Asian,” offers a candid look at the challenges he faced between 2010 and 2015. Malik has previously spoken in interviews about experiencing racism both in the music industry and in his personal life.

The new track marks a shift from Malik’s previous solo work, leaning into a hip-hop style to explore themes of identity and alienation. Malik incorporates references to his Pakistani and Irish-English heritage and reflects on the exhaustion and scrutiny that came with his fame. The song suggests that racial tensions, not just creative differences, contributed to his decision to leave One Direction in 2015.