Zayn Malik reveals cultural inspiration behind KONNAKOL

Zayn Malik is leaning into his cultural roots with his upcoming album KONNAKOL, which he describes as his most South Asian-inspired project to date.

The former One Direction star is set to release the 15-track album on April 17. The title is drawn from konnakol, a traditional South Indian vocal technique that involves creating rhythmic percussion sounds using the voice, a concept Malik said influenced the album’s production.

Speaking during a fan interaction on TalkShopLive, the singer explained that the project reflects a deeper integration of his heritage into his music.

He noted that the album features stronger Indian, Pakistani, and broader South Asian influences compared to his previous work.

“There’s a lot more Indian influence, Pakistani influence, and South Asian vibes going on,” Malik said, adding that he experimented with “qawwali-kinda sounding stuff” and Sufi-inspired elements throughout the record.

Rather than discovering something new about his background, Malik said the creative process was about embracing what already shaped him.

He explained that incorporating these influences made the music feel more authentic and personal to his identity as an artist.

The album’s visual identity also reflects this connection. Its cover artwork features Malik blended with a snow leopard — an animal native to South Asia — which he described as a symbolic choice tied to the region.

Malik also acknowledged musical inspirations from the subcontinent, citing admiration for Sonu Nigam and referencing his popular track “Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin” from the film Agneepath.