50 Cent 'likes the idea' of signing Zayn Malik and says former One Direction singer is 'no joke'

The rapper appears to be the latest producer with his eyes on Malik

(Getty)

The rapper 50 Cent is reportedly interested in signing Zayn Malik to his record label, describing the former One Direction singer as "hot" in an interview.

Malik left One Direction during the Asian leg of their world tour, citing stress-related issues, before quitting the band permanently in order to live a “normal life”.

But the 22-year-old has already been seen heading into a recording studio with Naughty Boy, sparking a row between the pair and his One Direction bandmate, Louis Tomlinson.

Shortly after this a source described in reports as an “insider” claimed Simon Cowell had struck a deal with Malik allowing him to leave the contract prematurely by ensuring any debut material is released through his label.

Now 50 Cent appears to also have his eyes on Malik for his label G-Note Records after enthusing about him in an interview with The Daily Beast.

“He’s hot! Zayn’s hot,” he said. “I haven’t met with him yet, but I like the idea. He is hot, man. He’s no joke.”

50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, has already hinted at wanting to work with Malik should he ever consider veering into rap and urged him to “be with the right people” in order to be considered “credible” in the industry.

He told The Sun in March: "I'd happily sign him up to my label, mentor him and have him working with the biggest rappers on the planet."

Meanwhile, Tomlinson announced his plans to launch his own record label in April as an subsidiary of Cowell’s Syco label.