One Direction Slammed By The Beastie Boys As They Top The Charts

One Direction is topping the charts, especially in the U.K. where the boy band was originated. The boys are back with their new single “Drag Me Down,” which is doing surprisingly well without their fifth member, Zayn Malik.

One Direction’s new song broke streaming records. In fact, it earned the highest streams in the first week for a single in the U.K.. One Direction’s new single “Drag Me Down” received well over 2 million plays across the pond.

“‘Drag Me Down’ is One Direction’s first single sans Zayn Malik. The heartthrob and fan favorite quit the highly successful boy band back in March. Ever since ‘Drag Me Down’ was released last Friday, it received more than 17.7 million streams globally.

One Direction’s new single is also No. 2 on iTunes charts in the U.S., and currently sits at No. 1 in the U.K. as of Friday, August 7. This is the band’s fourth No. 1 hit in the U.K. following “One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)” in 2013, “What Makes You Beautiful” in 2011, and “Little Things” the following year.

“‘Drag Me Down’ also knocked down Calvin Harris’ new single ‘How Deep Is Your Love.’ The song went from No. 2. One Direction also knocked down Little Mix’s single ‘Black Magic’ to No. 3.”

The band is not slowing down with their new single anytime soon. According to a previous report via E! News, One Direction is currently filming “Drag Me Down” at the NASA Space Center located in Houston, Texas.

Now fans are wondering if the foursome will either dress up as astronauts and float around in space, or have an intergalactic theme with their music video.

Not everyone is excited about One Direction’s success though. As previously reported via the Inquisitr, the band has received its share of criticism in light of their recent success. Members of the hip-hop group, the Beastie Boys, Ad-Rock and Mike D, spoke with Zane Lowe on Beats 1 on Thursday, August 6. They gave One Direction some advice on how to deal with their ever-growing fame.

“When you’re a band and you just get big, you have to take thousands of photos. We were so burnt out with European photographers with 20 assistants telling us to stand on our heads while pouring a beer upside down. We were over that. And you have bands like ‘New Edition,’ no wait not New Edition… the current ‘New Kids On The Block’. What are they called? One Direction.”

Mike-D said he was surprised by the boy band’s success over the years. It sounds like he doesn’t understand the hype surrounding 1D.

“Let’s get into that Zane, number one in the world on Beats 1 is One Direction?! I’m sure they’re really nice guys, but really?”

Ad-Rock carried on the conversation and criticized 1D’s looks. He even went as far as to point out some of the singers’ struggles with acne.

“You see pictures of these bands and they’re just hating being there. They’re tired and they got pimples. So [we] decided not to do those pictures anymore.”

It looks like One Direction is doing fine without Malik, as they continue to prove that they don’t need him in their group. Malik recently signed with RCA records and has announced that he’s ready to start making “real music.”

What are your thoughts on the band topping the charts? Do you like One Direction’s new single? Do you think it’s fair for them to receive as much criticism as they do praise? Share your thoughts below in the comments section.

[Images: Stephen Lovekin and Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images]