Nigerian Afrobeats star Qing Madi has publicly accused her former record label boss, Joy Tongo, of forgery, theft, and attempts to derail her music career amid an ongoing dispute over her contractual obligations.
The singer made the allegations during a recent TikTok livestream, where she addressed the removal of several tracks from her latest project, “Barely Legal,” from streaming platforms.
According to Qing Madi, the takedown was carried out by her former label, JTon Music, following a legal disagreement that has continued long after her departure from the company. She claimed the label was trying to frustrate her career despite allegedly losing a lawsuit filed against her.
The “American Love” singer accused Joy Tongo, the CEO of JTon Music, of forging her signature and engaging in financial misconduct during their working relationship.
“She stole from me, did a bunch of weird things like forging my signature. She sued me for $2 million and lost the case. 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,” Qing Madi alleged during the livestream.
The rising Afrobeats sensation also appealed to her fans for support, saying the prolonged legal and professional battle had become emotionally draining.
She expressed concern that repeated efforts to remove her music from digital platforms were affecting her work and limiting access to her songs.
However, Joy Tongo has strongly denied the accusations, describing the claims as false and misleading.
Responding in a statement shared on Instagram, the JTon Music CEO rejected allegations that she forged Qing Madi’s signature or stole from the singer.
Tongo also challenged Qing Madi’s claim that she had won the legal case, insisting that the matter remains before the courts and has not yet proceeded to trial.
“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.
The dispute has drawn significant attention across social media, with fans divided over the claims and counterclaims. Many supporters of the singer have called for transparency regarding the legal proceedings, while others have urged both parties to allow the courts to determine the facts.
As of the time of filing this report, no court documents were publicly presented by either side to substantiate their respective claims. The legal battle between Qing Madi and her former label appears set to continue as both parties maintain opposing positions.
The controversy comes at a crucial stage in Qing Madi’s career, as the young artist continues to build momentum in the Afrobeats scene with a growing international audience.
