Qing Madi, whose real name is Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma, has described the music industry as extremely profitable, likening its earnings to that of the “drug” business.
Speaking during a recent episode of the Tea With Tay podcast, the 19-year-old singer explained that musicians can earn in one performance what many Nigerians make over months or even years.
She noted that music has given her financial independence, although she chooses not to display her wealth publicly because she doesn’t want money to define her image.
“Music money is not normal, it is like drug money. I don’t think people know how… And I’m not the person who would buy stuff and put on the media because I do think that that would change the narrative of what I am to the media. And I don’t like people looking at me and seeing money. But I am rich.
“The average Nigerian works 9-5 and earns maybe N500,000 at the end of the month, while as an artist, you do one show and get N20 million. Music money is huge,” she said.
Madi also shared her thoughts on why music resonates so strongly with Nigerians, suggesting it may be linked to limited access to therapy, with many people turning to music as a form of emotional relief and escape.