Afrobeats sensation Qing Madi has sparked intense conversation online after levelling heavy accusations against her former record label boss, Joy Tongo, the CEO of JTon Music. The “American Love” singer claimed that Tongo forged her signature, stole her earnings, and is actively trying to derail her burgeoning career by pulling her music from streaming platforms.
The Allegations: Forgery, Theft, and Streaming Sabotage
In a recent TikTok livestream, Qing Madi opened up to her fans about the ongoing friction between herself and JTon Music. She alleged that her former label is resorting underhanded tactics to sabotage her newly released album, Barely Legal, after several tracks were abruptly removed from digital streaming platforms due to an alleged breach of contract.
According to the singer, this is a retaliatory move after she successfully defended herself against a massive $2 million lawsuit filed by the label. “She [Joy Tongo] stole from me, did a bunch of weird things like forging my signature. She sued me for $2M and she lost the case,” Qing Madi lamented. “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.”
Feeling exhausted by the constant legal and professional hurdles, the young artist appealed to her fanbase to help amplify her voice and stand against what she describes as systemic injustice.
Joy Tongo Fires Back: ‘What Case Have You Won?’
It did not take long for JTon Music CEO Joy Tongo to respond to the allegations. Taking to her Instagram page, Tongo vehemently denied all accusations of theft and signature forgery, dismissing them as completely false claims.
Furthermore, Tongo challenged Qing Madi’s narrative regarding their legal battle. She clarified that the $2 million lawsuit is far from over and has not even proceeded to trial yet. According to Tongo, the removal of Qing Madi’s songs from streaming platforms is a legitimate action backed by an active court injunction.
“Also, the injunction ruling is why we can issue a legal takedown now,” Tongo wrote on social media. “What case have you won? Because last time I checked, the case still hasn’t gone to trial.”
A Broader Issue in the Music Industry
This public dispute shines a spotlight on Qing Madi’s previous warnings about the pitfalls of the entertainment industry. The teenage star has previously spoken out about the harsh realities of the music business, once describing the Nigerian music scene as “very dark” and warning that it remains highly unconducive for female creators. She has also cautioned young, upcoming artists to be wary of industry predators looking to exploit fresh talent.
As the legal battle between Qing Madi and JTon Music continues to unfold in the background, fans remain hopeful that both parties can reach a resolution that allows the music to take center stage once again.