Music News for Monday

ZAYN SAYS HE NO LONGER IDENTIFIES AS MUSLIM: Zayn Malik says he no longer considers himself a Muslim, saying he doesn’t want to be defined by any religion. Zayn says he still has a “spiritual” belief in God, but revealed he doesn’t believe in several of the main tenets of the Muslim faith. “I was raised in the Islamic faith, so it will always be with me, and I identify a lot with the culture,” he told Vogue. “But I’m just me. I don’t want to be defined by my religion or my cultural background.” Malik’s father Yaser is British-Pakistani, while his mother Trisha converted to Islam when she married Yaser. Both Zayn and his sister Safaa were raised as Muslim. Zayn added: “I don’t believe you need to eat a certain meat that’s been prayed over in a certain way. I don’t believe you need to read a prayer in a certain language five times a day.”

MIKE POSNER TO PERFORM DURING HALFTIME DETROIT LIONS THANKSGIVING GAME: Detroit native Mike Posner will be celebrating Thanksgiving this year in his hometown, rocking the crowd at Ford Field during the Detroit Lion’s Thanksgiving game. Posner will perform during halftime at the game, as the Lions take on the Chicago Bears. Mike recently released a new track called “Song About You.” His new album is due early 2019.

MAX FORCED TO CANCEL SHOWS DUE TO VOCAL INJURY: MAX has been forced to cancel several concerts due to vocal problems. In a statement on Instagram, MAX writes, “I got some s****y news from the doctor yesterday. My vocal injury I’ve had for a few months has gotten a little worse so I have to cancel the next few months of shows. I’m sorry to all my fans who I’ll be letting down at these shows but I need to heal and come back stronger than ever.” He adds, “I’ve been pretty depressed about all of this for the last few months but I know something great will come out of all of it. Just have to find the positive, I guess. It’s gonna be a long road to get back to 100%…but I’ll be spending time finishing…my second album which I’m excited to share with you guys when it’s done.” He signed off with, “Keep slaying.”

KELLY CLARKSON & ADAM LEVINE TO JOIN JOHN LEGEND ON HIS NBC HOLIDAY SPECIAL: The guest list for John Legend’s holiday special A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy continues to grow. Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton will all appear on the special, and will be working with John on Season 16 of The Voice in the spring of 2019. In addition, Kim Kardashian West and her mom Kris Jenner will drop by, as well comedian/actress Awkwafina from Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean’s 8. Meghan Trainor, Stevie Wonder, the Queer Eye Fab Five, Darren Criss, Jane Lynchand Zach Galifianakis will also be joining John and his wife Chrissy Teigen on the special. A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy airs November 28th on NBC.