Predatory Behavior in the Music Industry Preying on Emerging Artists – Qing Madi Speaks Out

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma, known professionally as Qing Madi, has once again spotlighted the alarming issues plaguing the music scene, describing it as “dark” due to exploitative practices.

At just 18, Qing Madi disclosed that many young artists are being targeted by unscrupulous industry insiders offering exploitative contracts. Based on her personal encounters, she described executives as excessively greedy and intent on taking advantage of creative talents.

Speaking on the Lagos Meets London podcast, she shared:

“I’ve faced so many contract issues… Professionals in this industry are often self-serving. They want to benefit off you. The industry really is dark.”

She explained that her entry into music was spontaneous—just wanting to write, make some money, and return to school—but as interest in her songs grew, so did the number of offers from individuals with unclear intentions. She emphasized that such motives—from profit-driven collaborators—impair genuine creative work.

Balancing the whirlwind of fame and daily life, Qing Madi credits her mother for keeping her grounded. She recalled:

“She gives me chores to remind me that I’m still a kid and deserve rest. Often it doesn’t feel human—you become a machine with people constantly watching how to profit from you.”

She added that fame can strip away one’s personal space and time to just be human, let alone a child—a troubling reality for many rising artists.