Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma, popularly known as Qing Madi, has sounded a strong warning about the dangers facing young talents in the country’s music industry. Speaking candidly on a recent episode of the “Lagos Meets London” podcast, the 18-year-old artist described the industry as “dark,” citing her own experiences with exploitative contracts and greedy executives.
Qing Madi revealed that many professionals in the music business are primarily motivated by self-interest, seeking to take advantage of emerging artists through unfair deals. “People in the music industry are just out for themselves. They are so greedy and they just want to take advantage of you. The [music] industry is dark,” she stated, emphasizing that she has faced numerous contract disputes since her unexpected rise to fame.
She explained that her entry into music was accidental her initial goal was simply to write songs, earn some money, and pursue her education. However, as her music resonated with more people, she released additional tracks, only to encounter individuals whose motives were far from pure. According to Qing Madi, such negative influences can undermine the creative process and well-being of young artists.
Balancing her personal life with a demanding music career has also proven challenging. Qing Madi shared that her mother helps keep her grounded by reminding her to do household chores, reinforcing her identity beyond the industry’s pressures. “Sometimes, it’s just like you are a machine and everyone just got papers looking at you trying to figure out how to make money off you. And I’m like, please, I want to go home. It’s like you really don’t get enough time to be human and be someone’s kid. It’s really messed up. It’s crazy,” she reflected.
Qing Madi’s revelations highlight the urgent need for stronger protections and support systems for young talents navigating Nigeria’s vibrant but challenging music scene—a topic of particular interest to fans of Nigerian music and artists.