Zayn girls, rejoice, your hour is nigh — and so is Zayn’s. The 1D-detractor has gone #zolo.

[embed]https://twitter.com/zaynmalik/status/626484859905658881[/embed]

Zayn Malik tweeted a picture of himself signing a deal with RCA records this afternoon, officially moving from the label that repped One Direction and joining the likes of Chris Brown, Shakira, Justin Timberlake and Alisha Keys.

His initial tweet was swiftly followed by another with the hashtag #REALME and one that strongly implied he had been planning his solo career for a while now — since his departure from One Direction. With his move to RCA, it looks like Zayn is getting back to his R&B roots. And judging on his company the past few weeks, his upcoming album is going to kill it.

Zayn has been spotted with two-time Grammy winner Malay, who’s worked with artists like John Legend and played a huge part in Frank Ocean’s 2012 album “Channel Orange.” The partnership was all but confirmed when Zayn posed for an Instagram with Malay’s daughter — apparently a Directioner herself.

Hey, personally, I’ll take Zayn’s chocolatey-smooth vocals on any track that even vaguely resembles “Channel Orange.” Some Directioners feel betrayed, some are ready to throw money at his unfinished debut album — either way, it’s the dawning of a new age.

For Zayn, it was a long time in coming. The singer’s been embroiled in controversy since he fled One Direction mid-tour, with fans wondering what the real reason behind his departure was. We've compiled a timeline for the hardcore Directioner to see Zayn’s journey. What do you think? Was he planning this move all along?

 

MARCH 25: D-Day

The day that will live in infamy for fans around the world.

Zayn released a statement with the Facebook post, stating:

“My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I'd like to apologise to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart.

“I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world.”

MARCH 30: Zaughty Boy Rises

With the wound still fresh, Twitter exploded not even a week later when when Naughty Boy retweeted a shady video claiming to have “saved Zayn.” Louis Tomlinson and the producer traded jabs, leading to the release of Zayn’s demo, “I Won’t Mind.”

It was our first real taste of #zolo Zayn.

MAY 1: Zayn Sheds 1D from Social

Once again breaking our collective hearts, Zayn updated his Twitter account to reflect his evolving image — new haircut, new banner and no 1D mention to be found.

MAY 6: Naughty Boy Strikes Back

The Twittersphere became a battleground again when Naughty Boy tweeted out a pic of Zayn and himself in a recording studio, strongly implying they were working on new music. It led to a Zouis spat and horrified fans worldwide. Et tu, Zayn?

(Don't worry, they later made up).

JUNE 15: Zayn Croons on “No Type.”

Our first HQ taste of post-1D Zayn came when the singer collabed with MIC Righteous on a cover of Rae Strummond’s No Type, where Zayn takes on the hook and definitely shreds it. The song’s release continued to dissipate rumors that Zayn could come back to 1D.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mDDkwoTgTk[/embed]

JULY 13: Zaughty Boy Betrayed

Less than a month after “No Type’s” release, Naughty Boy got naughty again, releasing a poor quality recording of the music video for the single.  Whatever he was trying to do, it backfired. With a single Tweet, the Zaughty Boy #BROTP went the way of Cain and Abel.

Zayn, it appeared, was finally free to become the #zoloartist he always dreamed of.