Following X Factor, Zia signed a record deal with Warner Music, and in 2014, he released his debut album I Don't Know How to Dance, which peaked at number three in Sweden.

Zia first appeared in the 2012 Swedish X Factor in the show's inaugural season auditioning with "Without You" by David Guetta.

His performances included: In 2013, Zia was in the backing vocals alongside Loulou Lamotte in the Behrang Miri song "Jalla Dansa Sawa" performed in Melodifestivalen 2013, the Swedish selection process for Eurovision Song Contest 2013.

After this, he released his debut studio album I Don't Know How to Dance on the 26 March on the Warner Music Group label.

In 2016, Zia again participated in Melodifestivalen 2016 with the song "Human", which was co-written with Victor Thell and Maria Smith.

He took part in the third semi-final on 20 February 2016, and again progressed to the final held on 12 March 2016 in a bid to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.