Afrobeats singer Qing Madi has publicly accused her former record label boss, Joy Tongo, of forgery, financial misconduct, and attempting to sabotage her music career amid an ongoing legal dispute.
The controversy escalated after several songs from Qing Madi’s album Barely Legal were reportedly removed from streaming platforms over allegations of contractual violations.
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Speaking during a recent TikTok livestream, the singer claimed that her former label, JTon Music, has continued to interfere with her music releases despite what she described as a legal victory against a multimillion-dollar lawsuit filed against her.
According to Qing Madi, the dispute began after she parted ways with the label and sought to move forward with her career independently.
The singer alleged that Joy Tongo engaged in unethical practices during their professional relationship, including forging her signature and withholding funds.
“She stole from me, did a bunch of weird things like forging my signature,” Qing Madi claimed during the livestream.
The American Love crooner further stated that her former label filed a $2 million lawsuit against her but failed to succeed in court.
“She sued me for $2 million and she lost the case,” the singer said.
Qing Madi also accused the label of orchestrating the removal of songs from her album from digital streaming services, describing the action as part of a broader effort to undermine her success.
“She took down Pepper Me. I worked with my team to prove it’s an illegal takedown. They went through the corners again to take down the project,” she alleged.
The singer expressed frustration over the continued conflict, saying the situation has become emotionally exhausting.
She appealed to her supporters to speak out against what she described as unfair treatment, insisting that she was being targeted despite attempting to focus on her music career.
The allegations quickly generated widespread reactions across social media, with fans debating the dispute and calling for greater transparency from both parties.
However, Joy Tongo has strongly denied all accusations levelled against her.
Responding through posts shared on her Instagram page, the music executive dismissed Qing Madi’s claims as false and misleading.
Tongo specifically rejected the allegations that she forged the singer’s signature or stole money from her.
She also challenged Qing Madi’s assertion that she had won the legal case, insisting that the matter remains before the courts and has not yet proceeded to trial.
According to Tongo, the legal injunction currently in place is the reason the label retains the authority to request the removal of songs or projects it believes are subject to contractual disputes.
“Also, the injunction ruling is why we can issue a legal takedown now. What case have you won? Because last time I checked, the case still hasn’t gone to trial,” Tongo wrote.
Her response has further fuelled public interest in the dispute, with many observers awaiting clarification from the courts regarding the status of the case.
The disagreement highlights the growing number of legal battles between artists and record labels in the Nigerian music industry, where issues surrounding contracts, ownership rights, royalties, and creative control have increasingly become subjects of public debate.
Over the years, several Nigerian musicians have openly discussed challenges arising from label agreements, often emphasising the importance of understanding contractual obligations before signing deals.
For Qing Madi, the dispute comes at a crucial point in her career. The young singer has rapidly emerged as one of Afrobeats’ promising voices, gaining attention with hit songs and a growing international fan base.
The reported removal of songs from her project could potentially affect the album’s performance on streaming platforms, making the outcome of the legal battle significant for both her career and her relationship with her former label.
As of now, neither side has released court documents publicly to substantiate their claims, leaving many of the allegations unresolved.
With both parties standing firmly by their positions, the dispute appears far from over, and fans will likely continue monitoring developments as the legal proceedings move forward.
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