Liam Payne was dropped by Universal Music days before his death as he was 'on wrong path', claims source

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Liam Payne was allegedly dropped by his record label - Universal Music - just days before his tragic death aged 31 on Wednesday, October 16. 

On Thursday, a source close to the former One Direction singer shared with Daily Mail that his record label reportedly took a call on their contract after the ‘Strip That Down’ singer postponed his sophomore album. 

The source further hinted that Universal reportedly took the call on his employment after his solo career was left staggering following the One Direction split.

Liam Payne was reportedly dropped by Universal Music

According to reports, indications are that Liam Payne hit a lull in his career months before his death. Though he planned to release his sophomore album, he reportedly put it on hold. 

Payne signed with Capitol Records - a subsidiary of Universal Music - in 2016 after the band went into their indefinite hiatus in 2015. 

After the company’s reshuffling, the ‘Familiar’ singer came under the direct aegis of Universal Group. 

However, after his second album - supposedly titled ‘Teardrops’ - was put on hold, the company parted ways with the British singer. 

The source shared with Daily Mail, “Liam’s advance was massive and he didn’t recoup [it],” before adding, “Out of all of the One Direction boys, Liam was on the wrong path musically.”

Nevertheless, Universal Music penned a heartfelt tribute to their company’s social media following his passing. 

Noting that they are “devastated” by his sudden passing, the music group wrote, “His legacy will live on through his music and the countless fans he inspired and who adored him.”

“We send our deepest condolences to Liam’s family and loved ones,” added Universal Music in their statement. 

Payne died after falling from his third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday evening. according to reports, his death is thought to be caused by polytrauma leading to internal and external bleeding after the fatal fall. 

His hotel manager reportedly called the emergency services after the singer was found behaving “erratically” and trashing his room before his death.

Per Page Six, the hotel employee said on the phone, “We have a guest who is [allegedly] high and drunk; and when he is conscious, he is destroying his room and we need you to send someone, please.”

“We need you to send someone urgently because I don’t know if his life is in danger,” they concluded.

Liam Payne’s PR team resigned earlier this year

The ‘Sunshine’ singer was not only dropped by his music label but by his PR group as well. Prior to his passing, a source shared with The Sun on October 8, that Liam Payne never recovered after his manager resigned. 

The insider said, “Things are tough for Liam at the moment,” before adding, “His former manager Roger stepped back earlier this year. He was a steady hand for Liam and he appears to be struggling without his guidance.”

“Things have started to seem slightly erratic, with plans being made before they are cancelled last minute,” continued the source. 

The insider revealed earlier this month that though Payne was “doing really well on his second album,” he ended up putting the record “completely on pause," per the New York Post. He released his first solo album 'LP1' in 2019. 

Another planned documentary on his struggle with growing up in the spotlight was also reportedly shelved.