Zayn Malik is making a "soulful record".

Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik

The 22-year-old singer has teamed up with producer Naughty Boy to work on tracks for his debut solo album, although the musician has revealed Zayn is in full control on the record.

He said: "He's making a very soulful record.

"He's writing, himself, on it as well."

It was recently reported the 'Night Changes' singer had been banned from releasing solo music for two years following his departure from One Direction - which he quit in March this year, leaving Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan to continue as a quartet - although his 30-year-old collaborator has insisted the music will be "worth the wait".

Speaking to Capital FM, Naughty Boy - whose real name is Shahid Khan - explained: "I think it's worth the wait, I think the less I say about it the better. I think it'll all make sense soon. Zayn's his own man, no one can tell Zayn what to do, especially me."

The news comes after Rita Ora - who is dating Ricky Hil - confessed she would be up for working with Zayn if they could find the right track to collaborate on.

When asked if she would consider recording with the heartthrob, she said: "Well he does have the same colour hair as my boyfriend. My man had it first. You know what, I respect people that work. You know I respect people that do their music. But I'm never gonna say no. You know I love music. It all depends on the song."