Liam James Payne (29 August 1993 – 16 October 2024) was an English singer and songwriter best known as a member of the successful pop group One Direction. He joined the band after competing on The X Factor in 2010, achieving global fame alongside Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson. After One Direction went on hiatus in 2016, Payne launched a solo career and signed with Republic Records. His debut single "Strip That Down" became a major hit in 2017, followed by successful tracks like "For You" with Rita Ora and his studio album LP1 in 2019. Payne also produced remixes under the names Big Payno and Payno. Despite his musical achievements, he faced struggles with substance abuse and mental health. Payne died in 2024 in Buenos Aires at the age of 31. After his passing, his music saw renewed chart success.