It’s laborious to imagine it’s been years since One Route took the world by storm. These 5 younger guys had been seemingly inseparable, dominating charts and capturing hearts globally.
However beneath the floor of that squeaky-clean picture, it appears there have been some deeply private and difficult experiences for no less than one member.
Zayn Malik, who famously left the band earlier than their hiatus, has just lately made headlines together with his declare that he confronted racism throughout his time in One Route. Talking by way of lyrics from his music, a brand new rap music titled “Fuchsia Sea,” he acknowledged, “I labored laborious in a white band.”

Listed here are a few of the lyrics from the music: “Acquired my again towards the wall a lot they suppose I received a brick fascination / Do you keep in mind each dialog? ‘Trigger I’ve been acutely aware of each connotation.”
“And whereas they focus on their elevation, I’ve received a spherical journey to the constellation / I’m a convert to the live performance, and I did that for inflation, ’trigger I labored laborious in a White band, and so they nonetheless laughed on the Asian,” he continued.
This isn’t only a throwaway lyric; it’s a strong assertion that invitations us to mirror on the complexities of identification and belonging inside even essentially the most profitable teams.
Whereas Zayn hasn’t gone into express element about particular incidents throughout the band itself on this explicit interview, his phrases trace at a broader sense of feeling like an outsider. As an individual of Pakistani heritage and Muslim religion, navigating a predominantly white group within the intense highlight of worldwide fame should have include its personal distinctive set of pressures and challenges.


Zayn’s willingness to share his expertise, nonetheless broad, is an important step in fostering a extra open and sincere dialogue about these points. It reminds us that behind the platinum data and sold-out stadiums, there are particular person tales, and generally these tales embody painful experiences that should be acknowledged.
Let’s hope this encourages extra conversations and a higher dedication to creating really inclusive areas within the music world.