About Joy Tongo and Qing Madi’s scene of drama
The Nigerian music industry was recently set abuzz as singer Qing Madi and her former manager, Joy Tongo (Founder, Jtongroup), engaged in a public fallout. With claims of sabotaged Spotify
The Nigerian music industry was recently set abuzz as singer Qing Madi and her former manager, Joy Tongo (Founder, Jtongroup), engaged in a public fallout. With claims of sabotaged Spotify links and pull-down attempts, the narrative has been painted as a veteran manager vs a rising star.
However, behind the headlines lies a deeper, more systemic story of broken contracts, ungratefulness, and a betrayal that started long before Jtongroup entered the picture.
Original foundation: Richie Music Empire
While the world now knows Qing Madi as a breakout star, her journey didn’t start with Joy Tongo. It began at Richie Music Empire. It was here that she was originally discovered and refined. Under the vision of CEO Don Richie, the label invested heavily in her development, pairing her with the talented producer Rhaffy. Under Rhaffy’s mentorship and production, Qing Madi recorded over 11 songs, honing the sound that the world now celebrates. This was a period of grooming, investment, and strategic career mapping—until the first breach of trust occurred.
The Great hijack
The turning point came during a business trip to Europe by Don Richie. In his absence, and while still legally bound to Richie Music Empire, Qing Madi was allegedly "hijacked" by Joy Tongo in collaboration with the artist's mother. This wasn't just a career move; it was a blatant breach of contract and a total disregard for the label that built her from scratch. Richie Music Empire, maintaining its right to the intellectual property created during her tenure, has since released three of those original tracks: ‘Runaway,’ ‘Panadol,’ and the most recent, ‘My Way’ (ft. Don Richie). These songs serve as a testament to who truly laid the bricks for her success.
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Pattern of disloyalty?
The current friction between Qing Madi and Joy Tongo seems to be a case of history repeating itself. Joy Tongo, who allegedly took advantage of a young artist and her family to bypass an existing contract, is now crying foul because that same artist has allegedly moved on from her.
One must ask: Is this a pattern for Qing Madi? To breach contracts, claim silence as a defense, and move to the next bidder once the current one has served its purpose?
Price of naivety, greed
The industry must also look at the role of Joy Tongo. By allegedly misleading a young, naive artist to abandon her original home at Richie Music Empire, Tongo set a precedent of disloyalty. You cannot build a house on a stolen foundation and be surprised when the walls start to crumble. Qing Madi’s rise is undeniable, but it is currently stained by the shadows of ungratefulness toward Producer Rhaffy and the Richie Music Empire team. As the dust settles on this latest social media spat, the lesson remains: in the music business, your "evil ways" will eventually catch up with you.
While recent public statements from various parties have sparked debate, the label has chosen to maintain a forward-looking perspective.
Representatives note that transitions are a natural part of the music industry, particularly for young artists navigating growth and new opportunities. However, they also emphasize the importance of honouring creative partnerships and foundational support systems that contribute to an artist’s rise.
