Slight shade? After exiting One Direction in March, Zayn Malik embarked on his solo career. He briefly collaborated with the controversial producer Naughty Boy, but on Wednesday, July 29, Malik made a much more permanent career choice.

“I guess I never explained why I left, it was for this moment to be given the opportunity to show you who i really am! #realmusic #RCA !!” Malik, 22, tweeted.

He also posted a photo of himself signing the papers, later tweeting, “#REALME.”

One Directioners quickly took offense to the statement, but many fans jumped to Malik’s aid. The British singer retweeted one follower who wrote, “You are stupid. Real music meaning real to him. Real because he has written and recorded it solely to what he likes.Real to himself like lol.”

Earlier this month, Malik parted ways with Naughty Boy in a hostile tweet, writing, “@NaughtyBoyMusic you fat joke stop pretending we’re friends no one knows you.”

RCA Records’ lineup boasts stars Alicia Keys, Britney Spears, Chris Brown, Christina Aguilera, Hilary Duff, Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, Kesha, and Miley Cyrus.