Qing Madi accuses former label boss of forgery, sabotage
Afrobeats singer Qing Madi has accused her former record label boss Joy Tongo (CEO of JTon Music) of forging her signature and stealing money. The 'American Love' artist claims her former label is sabotaging her career after she defeated their $2-million lawsuit in court. During a recent TikTok livestream, Madi alleged the label removed songs from her new album 'Barely Legal' from streaming platforms despite her court victory. Joy Tongo responded on Instagram, calling the allegations 'false claims' and stating the lawsuit is still ongoing with an injunction allowing legal takedowns.
This dispute highlights tensions in Nigeria's music industry where young artists often face challenges with record contracts. With streaming platforms increasingly important for music distribution, such legal battles can significantly impact an artist's career and income.
How should Nigerian artists protect themselves from potential contract disputes with record labels, and what legal safeguards should be implemented in the industry?