Zayn Malik refused to be drawn into the Azealia Banks drama. Instead, Gigi Hadid's boyfriend coolly laughed over Banks' purposely offensive Twitter comments to the former One Direction singer.
Zayn Malik took the wiser route. CNN reports that other parties took "The Big Big Beat" singer to task for her choice of words. For one, Rinse FM and Found Series cancelled Banks' participation in the rave culture U.K. music festival "Born & Bred."
ANNOUNCEMENT: @RinseFM I @bornandbredLDN pic.twitter.com/AB3wnTaSru
— Rinse I Born & Bred (@bornandbredLDN) May 11, 2016
According to the organizers, "Born & Bred" is all about inclusivity and equality. The "212" singer's comments to Zayn Malik and to One Direction fan and Disney star Skai Jackson are anything but in accordance to the festival's goals.
@AZEALIABANKS why you been saying nasty things about me ? I wasn't talking about you lol ? — zayn (@zaynmalik) May 11, 2016
Perez Hilton reports that the "Liquorice" artist first hit Zayn Malik with supposition that his "Like I Would" music video is a copy of her "Chasing Time" material. Zayn Malik posted a few nameless messages, which Banks understood as a response to her own.
While others responded on behalf of Zayn Malik, including Skai Jackson, the "Pillowtalk" singer gave Banks a good-humored response. Zayn Malik asked Banks why the "Ice Princess" artist has been attacking him and clarified that he was never tweeting about Azealia.
Banks' response was to post a screen capture of her explanation for her feud. "I had to remind him that we were both in the same boat in this industry and people of color," Banks wrote. "By reminding him that no matter what you may think of yourself, the world still sees you as 'other.' As they see me."
Thoughts on everything (loads of typos) pic.twitter.com/kmGhgkrKyz — BRUJA DEL BLOQUE (@AZEALIABANKS) May 11, 2016
Nonetheless, Banks made clear that she does not regret saying what she said to Zayn Malik and Skai Jackson. The rapper's only concern was that her comments offended other people.
Zayn Malik released "Like I Would" as part of his debut album "Mind Of Mine" in March. The futuristic-toned "Like I Would" music video was released over a month later.
