Whether it was ‘Mind of Mine’ or ‘Nobody Is Listening’, Zayn Malik has never stayed within a fixed sound, constantly shifting between mood, tone, and texture. However, since the global pop star hinted at his upcoming album ‘KONNAKOL’ back in February, one track has quietly taken over the conversation, refusing to leave headlines or fan curiosity behind, ‘Nusrat’. And as the buzz around its meaning continues to grow, Malik has once again found himself back in the spotlight after revealing the inspiration behind the track and the story that shaped its name.

So who is the legend that pulled Malik into this deeply personal tribute, and what does this inspiration truly say about his evolving sound?

Returning to R&B pop, Zayn Malik’s fifth studio album ‘KONNAKOL’, set to release on April 17, 2026, dives deep into South Asian roots, blending Qawwali and Sufi textures. In the middle of this sonic shift, when Malik was recently played ‘Dum Dum Ali Ali’ by a media host of Track Star, he recognised it instantly as the voice of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, revealing him as the very inspiration behind naming his track. Calling him the OG, he did not hold back in admiration, sharing how hearing him even once is enough to understand the magic, admitting that when he discovered him just weeks ago, he was completely blown away.

"Yeah. So I've got a song on my record called [Nusrat] and then, and named it after him because he's like the OG. How fucking amazing is he? His voice — if you ever listen to him live, check out some of his live performances... Yeah. Somebody showed me this the other day, couple weeks ago, and I was like blown away." Malik told Track Star. 

However, it’s not just Zayn Malik; anyone who has ever truly witnessed Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice knows the kind of spell it carries, something that feels almost divine in its pull. Adding to this, Zayn also spoke about Jeff Buckley, sharing how the late artist was deeply inspired by Khan’s work, often immersing himself in it, which shaped those distinctive vocal runs and emotional depth that defined his sound.

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Meanwhile, as Zayn Malik reveals the inspiration behind his track ‘Nusrat’, meaning victory, here is everything you need to know about his upcoming album ‘KONNAKOL’.

Set to release on April 17, 2026 via Mercury Records, Zayn Malik’s ‘KONNAKOL’ brings together a 15-track lineup including ‘Nusrat’, ‘Sideways’, ‘Prayers’, ‘5th Element’, and ‘Die for Me’. The album is led by ‘Sideways’, released on March 27, while ‘Die for Me’, which dropped earlier in February, has already debuted at No. 1 on the UK Official British Asian Music Chart. Revealed through a stark black-and-white visual, the tracklist itself builds a narrative, positioning the project as one of Malik’s most anticipated releases in recent years.

However, the release is not the only big move for Malik in 2026, as he is also set to take this era on the road with the KONNAKOL Tour. Kicking off in May at the AO Arena in Manchester, the 31-date run will cover the UK, Mexico, North America, and South America, marking his first-ever solo arena and stadium tour. The tour will continue across regions before concluding on November 20 in Miami, turning this album cycle into a full-scale global moment.

Meanwhile, as Zayn Malik prepares to take fans into a melodic new era with ‘KONNAKOL’, the track ‘Nusrat’ is already drawing the most attention, due to its meaning and the recent revelation of its inspiration from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

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What are your thoughts on Zayn Malik drawing inspiration from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for his track ‘Nusrat’? Let us know in the comments.