Zayn Malik has opened up about the huge impact that Eminem’s music has had on his life and career, calling the rapper one of the top artists he has ever admired. The 32 year old singer shared how deeply he connected with Eminem’s story and artistic journey while growing up in Bradford.
Speaking to BBC Radio 1, Zayn said he clearly remembers watching Eight Mile for the first time. The movie, along with Eminem’s rise from struggle to success, made him feel like he was watching someone who came from a world very similar to his own. Zayn explained that the challenges Eminem overcame were incredibly inspiring, and played a major role in shaping his early passion for music.
Calling Eminem “one of the top rappers in my book,” Zayn reflected on how these influences blended with his own musical path, which began long before he joined One Direction. He recalled auditioning for The X Factor in 2010 with Mario’s Let Me Love You, a song he practised for nearly a year and described as the track that changed his life.
Zayn also revisited his time in One Direction, admitting he never felt fully connected to the group’s sound. He shared that the band was often handed music that didn’t reflect his own style, leaving him unconvinced about what they were creating. Despite global fame, he felt the experience lacked authenticity for him.
Today, Zayn continues to draw from the influences that shaped him, with Eminem remaining one of the most important inspirations in his musical journey.
