Zayn Malik’s ‘Pillowtalk’ Sees Huge Drop On The Charts, One Direction Feud To Blame?
Having initially made a strong impact on the charts with his debut single, “Pillowtalk,” Zayn Malik has reportedly made history for experiencing one of the biggest drops on the Billboard Hot 100.
According to ChartNews, Malik only managed to hold the Billboard No. 1 spot for one week before dropping down to No. 7. And while the dip may seem considerably low, a source notes that this is only the second time in the history of sales tracking that an artist has seen such a drastic downfall from a previous No. 1 single.
PILLOWTALK by @zaynmalik scores the biggest 2nd-week drop for #1-debuting singles in Hot 100 history.
— Chart News (@chartnews) February 16, 2016
It should be noted that Zayn had pulled out of endless appearances his management had set up for him, including a televised interview on The Graham Norton Show two weeks ago. While he’s been spotted making several rounds at nightclubs and after-parties, the singer hasn’t made any strong efforts to actually support the song in the hopes of sustaining its high position.
It is quite confusing for some to grasp an understanding to Zayn Malik’s promotional campaign, for his debut album, Mind of Mine, is still expected to hit stores in just one month. With the decision not to promote his music, the former X Factor contestant could be damaging the chances of making his solo career a hit.
Other reports seem to suggest that with the scandals surrounding Zayn and his feud with One Direction, fans are beginning to side more with the group than with Malik, who infamously admitted to wishing he had quit the band prior to the success of “What Makes You Beautiful.”
“I think I always wanted to go from the first year. I never really wanted to be there in the band. I just gave it a go because it was there at the time. With the music, I instantly knew it wasn’t for me because I realised I couldn’t put any input in… that’s when it became frustrating for me.”
The likes of Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson haven’t taken Zayn’s comments lightly — sources even alleged that Harry was anything but a fan of his former bandmate’s songs, claiming it puts him to sleep whenever he hears it on the radio.
Zayn Malik’s “Pillowtalk” has debuted atop the Hot 100 https://t.co/BTMx2fDhdG pic.twitter.com/OprObdpXo3
— Forbes (@Forbes) February 8, 2016
While many would like to think that any publicity is good publicity, Zayn Malik would beg to differ, for the slump on the charts hasn’t just been experienced on Billboard, but also on iTunes.
“Pillowtalk,” which went straight to No. 1 due to its astoundingly high streaming numbers, has dropped out of the top ten in the majority of countries, giving the impression that without any live performances and appearances, the track will continue to tank.
It was rumored at one point that Zayn Malik would perform at this year’s Grammys — especially after he was spotted at the pre-party in West Hollywood one day prior. But in the end, it seemed that the singer wasn’t interested in singing any of his new material, subsequently making the decision not to show up to one of the biggest events in music.
With the scandals surrounding One Direction and the sudden dip on the charts, Zayn Malik could be hurting his career, evidently leading him to an early retirement. It is often said that Malik was considered the most fragile member of the group, for he always struggled to deal with the media interfering his personal life.
Should that be the case, it would explain why Zayn is so hesitant to make any appearances or partake in televised interviews. Still, it’s not doing his music career any good.
[Photo by Kevork Djansezian and Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images]
