M.I.A.’s New Album AIM Will Feature Zayn Malik

“We simply principally did it whereas I used to be right here [in India], as a result of I’ve been right here for a week-and-a-half”. On the new song “Cruel”, Zayn sings in a plaintive neon light: “I’ve been by myself remembering you/ Your body hurts me”. “Before I started writing properly my own stuff [for AIM], I was thinking maybe I’ll write for other people instead”. We had a couple people in common. I didn’t really approach him for my own record until later on.

MIA has teamed up with Zayn Malik to produce a track for her forthcoming album. “First, I thought I wanted to try writing a song for him”, she explained to Entertainment Weekly.

Others in the music industry that she has called on for help during the process include DJ Blaqstarr, Skrillex and even an old paramour, Diplo according to Billboard.

Speaking previously about “AIM”, which is due to be released on September 9, she said: “It’s the cleanest album I have”.

Malik collaborated with the English MC and producer, real name Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam, on a track titled “Freedun” which will appear on her fifth album “AIM”. “We’ve simply been going forwards and backwards on, you already know, WhatsApp”. It’s my last record so I just want it to be happy. “I just feel like I need to spend more periods of time somewhere”. You don’t get to just live things out and get involved with communities. “Something useful for a bit”, she said.