Zayn Malik ‘hooks up with Alicia Keys hitmaker’

Zayn Malik has linked up with the "hugely successful" music producer behind Alicia Keys' hits.

The 22-year-old singer left his boy band One Direction in March to pursue a solo career.

Since then he was engaged in a public feud with beatmaker Naughty Boy, but it's claimed the fall out actually helped Zayn professionally, as the star is said to have linked up with one of the best music makers in entertainment as a result.

"Malay is a hugely successful producer and is well respected within the industry too," a source told British newspaper The Sun of Zayn's new collaborator.

"After the way his relationship with Naughty Boy ended, Zayn could not be in better hands."

Malay has produced songs for John Legend and Alicia in the past. He is also the main creative engineer behind Frank Ocean's critically acclaimed LP Channel Orange, which won a Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album.

This comes hot on the heels of reports Zayn is planning to employ a crack team to help him launch his solo efforts. British newspaper The Daily Mirror recently reported he is eyeing manager Sarah Stennett to help him, who has successfully bolstered the careers of stars like Rita Ora.

"Until now, things have been a bit up in the air and a lot of the public information about Zayn's career has come from Naughty Boy chatting about it. But Zayn has decided now is the time to get serious," a source said.

But music isn't Zayn's only interest, as it's claimed he's even moving into fashion in a big way.

There are rumours of an impending streetwear label, which were compounded when Zayn attended the recent menswear shows in Paris.

"Expect a big sexy men's fashion mag cover for A/W15, shot by a top photographer, with loads of coverage in the press - he's more sought after than the rest of One Direction now. His story is sexier," an insider told UK publication Heat previously.