Zayn's debut as a solo artist is definitely one for the books. The 23-year-old singer-songwriter's first album "Mind of Mine" goes straight to No. 1 at Billboard 200 albums chart within the first week of its release.
According to Billboard, this makes Zayn the first and only male UK solo artist to pull off such feat. The former One Direction member also becomes the first UK male singer to claim the coveted spot in almost three decades. The last UK male performer to pull off such accomplishment is George Michael, back in 1988.
Rolling Stone adds that Zayn's success with "Mind of Mine" also made him the first British solo artist to hit No. 1 with a debut album since Susan Boyle accomplished the same back in 2009 with "I Dream A Dream."
According to Vulture, Zayn isn't new to such accomplishment. Back in 2011 when Zayn was still in One Direction, Zayn and his fellow 1D members achieved the same feat with their debut album "Up All Night."
Making the success of "Mind of Mine" far more glorious is the fact that Zayn attained all this on his first dip in the music industry as a solo artist. Vulture says that like Beyonce, Justin Timberlake and Gwen Stefani, Zayn can be a record-breaking artist both as a solo act and in a group.
"I'm enjoying what I'm doing. I'm not censoring myself anymore, so I'm not tired. I love it," Zayn told Billboard back in January regarding his life and music career post-One Direction.
Zayn sold 157,000 copies of "Mind of Mine" after its official launch last March 25. According to Rolling Stone, the singer's album also trounced Sam Smith's album "In the Lonely Hour."
Prior to the full release of the "Mind of Mine" LP, Zayn's single from the album "Pillowtalk" also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in February.
In this track, Zayn croons "So we'll piss off the neighbours/ In the place that feels the tears/The place to lose your fears."
