TLDR:
- Sam Pounds has canceled the release of “Do No Wrong,” a posthumous collaboration with Liam Payne
- The decision was made out of respect for Payne’s family’s mourning process
- Pounds wants proceeds to go to a charity of the family’s choosing
- A preview of the song was shared on Instagram, featuring Payne’s voice recording
- The cancellation came just one day after the initial release announcement
Sam Pounds, a music producer and artist, has reversed his decision to release what would have been Liam Payne’s first posthumous song. The track, titled “Do No Wrong,” was initially announced for release on October 28, 2024, but was canceled the following day to allow Payne’s family time to mourn.
The former One Direction member passed away on October 16, 2024, at the age of 31, after a tragic incident at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Initial reports indicate that Payne fell from a balcony at the hotel, with a partial autopsy revealing multiple internal and external injuries as the cause of death.
Pounds made the announcement about withdrawing the release via social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. In his statement, he emphasized his desire to let family members make decisions about future releases. “Today I’m deciding to hold ‘Do No Wrong’ and leave those liberties up to all family members,” Pounds wrote.
The producer shared his intention to have all proceeds from the eventual release go to a charity chosen by the Payne family, showing sensitivity to the timing of such a release during this period of mourning. “Even though we all love the song it’s not the time yet. We are all still mourning the passing of Liam, and I want the family to mourn in peace and in prayer,” he stated.
Before the cancellation, Pounds offered fans a glimpse of the collaboration through his Instagram account. He posted an audio recording allegedly sent by Payne via text before his death, where the singer can be heard working on the song’s melody. In the clip, Payne sang, “You’re my once in a lifetime love, yeah / and I’m never gonna let you go,” followed by his comments about potential developments for the track.
The timing of the initial release announcement and subsequent withdrawal came as authorities in Buenos Aires continue their investigation into Payne’s death. According to ABC News, a partial autopsy report revealed the presence of multiple substances in his system at the time of his death.
Payne’s father, Geoff Payne, is currently cooperating with Argentine authorities as part of their ongoing investigation. The police are examining all aspects of the incident that led to the singer’s death at the hotel.
Prior to his passing, Payne’s last musical release was the single “Teardrops” in March 2024. The unreleased collaboration with Pounds would have marked his first posthumous work, adding a layer of sensitivity to the decision about its release.
The withdrawal of “Do No Wrong” reflects a careful consideration of timing and respect for the grieving process. Pounds’ decision acknowledges the delicate balance between preserving an artist’s legacy and respecting the immediate needs of their loved ones during a period of loss.
Messages of support have poured in from fans and fellow artists following Pounds’ announcement. The music community has largely praised the decision to prioritize the family’s wishes during this difficult time.
The song remains unreleased, with no specific timeline given for when it might be made public. Pounds indicated that any future decisions about the track’s release will be made in consultation with Payne’s family members.
Throughout this period, Payne’s family has maintained their privacy as they process their loss. The postponement of “Do No Wrong” appears to support this need for space and time to grieve.
Argentine authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Payne’s death, with local law enforcement working to gather all relevant information about the incident.
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