Nigerian Afrobeats star Qing Madi has levied serious accusations against her former record label head, Joy Tongo of JTon Music, claiming the executive falsified her signature and misappropriated funds. The singer, best known for the track ‘American Love’, made these allegations during a recent TikTok livestream, asserting that Tongo is actively sabotaging her career.
According to Qing Madi, the label removed several songs from her latest album ‘Barely Legal’ from streaming services, citing an alleged breach of contract. She argued that this move is a calculated attempt to derail her success after she emerged victorious in a $2 million lawsuit that the label had filed against her. The singer expressed frustration, stating, ‘She [Tongo] took my money, signed my name without permission, and then tried to sue me for $2 million. She lost that case. Now she’s having my tracks like ‘Pepper Me’ taken down illegally, but my team proved it. So she’s found other shady ways to remove my entire project.’
Qing Madi urged her fans to speak out against what she perceives as an injustice, noting that the constant legal battles and contractual disputes are taking a toll on her. She described the experience as exhausting and called for support from the public.
In response, Joy Tongo took to Instagram to refute the claims, labeling them as ‘false statements’. Tongo denied any involvement in forging signatures or stealing money. She clarified that the case Qing Madi claims to have won is still ongoing and has not yet gone to trial. Tongo added, ‘The injunction that was granted is precisely what allows us to issue legal takedowns now. If you had truly won the case, why is it still pending in court?’ This back-and-forth highlights the deepening rift between the artist and her former management.