ZAYN ON RCA, IN THE STUDIO: A NEW DIRECTION?

One Direction alumnus Zayn Malik posted this pic of himself inking with RCA on Wednesday. He's been recording with producer Malay, who helmed Frank Ocean’s Grammy-winning Channel Orange set, according to Buzzfeed and other sites.

The news hit the wires when Malay posted a pic of Malik and the producer’s daughter, an ardent 1D fan, on Instagram.

The former 1D member remains signed to SYCO via the “leaving member” clause of his contract.

With 1D bringing out a new set this fall, the potential for the two projects to fight for audience share will certainly be on the minds of 1D manager Richard Griffiths and execs at SYCO, Columbia and RCA. Malik is now managed by Turn First’s Sarah Stennett.