Zayn Malik song leaked: Naughty Boy blasts rapper Mic Righteous for releasing No Type cover

Zayn Malik solo career — Zayn Malik's first solo single is expected to feature on Naughty Boy's next album Reuters/Andrew Burton

Directioners have been sent into a frenzy after a solo track recorded by former One Direction singer Zayn Malik leaked online.

The song in question is a cover of US hip-hop act Rae Sremmurd's 2014 single No Type, featuring UK rapper Mic Righteous in a remix.

Although fans were delighted by the leak, music producer and Malik's close friend Naughty Boy launched a Twitter rant accusing Mic Righteous of "stealing" the song from a hard drive.

The La La La hitmaker tweeted:

that had nothing to do with me or Zayn, something was stolen from the hard drive that had nothing to do with the rapper involved
— Naughty Boy (@NaughtyBoyMusic) June 15, 2015

just wait for the real one ? you won't be disappointed
— Naughty Boy (@NaughtyBoyMusic) June 15, 2015

Mic Righteous hit back with a flurry of tweets explaining that he leaked the track for Malik's benefit as the former boy band singer is allegedly prohibited from releasing any solo material for another two years.

The rapper also made a religious comparison of their feud to Peter betraying Jesus.

Lol @NaughtyBoyMusic tell the truth shah. We recorded them bars in ur studio months ago. .. Bout 'stolen hard drive' https://t.co/b679FlFnhC
— MIC Righteous (@MicRighteous) June 15, 2015

LOL NB just denied me like peter denied jesus, an to think we been mates for yrs. guess thats what not being in control of ur own music does
— MIC Righteous (@MicRighteous) June 15, 2015

Why sign a artist an not let them put out music when they want? ...
— MIC Righteous (@MicRighteous) June 15, 2015

.. NB been good almost throughout my career i ain't beefing him, but he's another puppet on a label and to lie like that ..
— MIC Righteous (@MicRighteous) June 15, 2015

..well that just proves it. Its like this, when ur signed u have no say what happens with u, where as i do. So i will.
— MIC Righteous (@MicRighteous) June 15, 2015

According to Naughty Boy, the leaked version is unfinished and he promised that fans will hear "the real one" in the future. Malik has remained silent in the midst of the Twitter feud.

It is not the first time the music producer has come to the 22-year-old singer's defence on social media.

In March 2015, the Lifted hitmaker was embroiled in a furious war of words with Malik's ex 1D bandmate Louis Tomlinson.

It all kicked off when Naughty Boy, real name Shahdid Khan, claimed he "saved" Malik's career after the singer decided to quit the boy band.

Weeks after Malik's sudden departure, fans got a taste of his solo material for the first time when the song I Won't Mind, produced by Naughty Boy, was leaked online but quickly taken down.

There has been mounting speculation that Malik will be making a return to One Direction, however, a rep denied these reports as false.