Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma, also known as Qing Madi to the music world, is a 17-year-old with a lot of music to share. Since her first single, the singer and songwriter born and raised in Benin City, Nigeria, has rapidly garnered a solid fan base with the help of social media and already has a sonically brilliant EP to keep these fans busy. She is very passionate, which is evident just as we start our conversation. This passion is heard heavily in all of Qing Madi’s music and could be one thing that draws listeners to her. Qing is part of a new generation of music talents from Africa telling the stories of their demographic on their terms.
Team iMullar delve into her formative years, having her songs go viral, and recently released project.
How did you grow up, and how influential was your family in your life and career choice?
Well, my mom has always been supportive, since she knew that I loved music. I feel like she was building me up for something. As long as I can remember, I’ve always been training; I’ve always had dance practice, and choir practice, and I even learned a lot of songs growing up because I wanted to go for Nigeria’s Got Talent. My siblings have also supported me throughout my journey, they’ve all contributed to getting me into the studio at some point. My entire family has played an important role in my story.
How did the name Qing Madi come about?
It was in class in high school where they were associating kingship with queenship, stating that the only reason a queen exists is because of the king. That struck me as odd because I like to be very independent. Being the last child, I like to be a little bossy about the fact that I control my career. In making the name, I wanted something that had authority, which was the Qing. The Q was to identify with my femininity and show that my stand and where I am do not depend on anyone, especially not a man, Madi is my name – it means “talented” and “heaven“ – so I put the two together.
Which artists would you say impacted you the most with their music, as a person and as an artist?
I grew up listening to Kendrick Lamar, Brandy – because my mom listened to her a lot –, and Chris Brown […] In Benin, my mom had a shop that was next to this school called BIU, using my mom’s shop as a hangout spot, I was often around as [the students] listened to Kendrick Lamar and trap music. Before my career, music was like a safe zone and a mode of expression, now it’s less of that and more like my whole life. Now everyone has an opinion. It’s no longer me just writing for someone else, I’m no longer in the shadows, and it’s very invasive now.
In the industry, I will say Bnxn has had the greatest impact on my career so far. He has inspired me in a lot of ways, and his heart as well, I was on tour with him and he treated me like family. Victony, Peruzzi, Fave, and Olivetheboy, one of my best friends, welcomed me into the industry.
At what point did you decide to fully pursue music?
It was during the COVID-19 period, after I finished high school, we moved to Lagos. The plan was to finish university and think about music when I had something stable. Because music is so unreliable, you can put your all into it and get nothing back. So while I was taking a gap year in Lagos, I started songwriting for other artists to cover expenses and help with the bills at home. And I used to post covers on TikTok consistently for fun. One day, I was in the studio to do backup vocals on a song when I met this producer, Ramoni, who played me a beat. It was the beat to the first song I ever released, “See Finish.” When I heard the beat I asked to sing on it. At the time, I was dealing with depression, and that inspired the song. He suggested I post the recording as a snippet on social media and it just blew up. I didn’t think it was going to get the traction it did, so the decision to finally pursue music was kind of made for me. That was when I realised that I could change my life with my creative process. And when “Ole” came out, the response was insane. That was the turning point for me because it made me feel like who I had envisioned myself to be was not as far away as I thought.
How did you feel seeing “See Finish” go viral, and how would you describe the importance of TikTok to your career and music in general?
I feel like TikTok has played a major role in my career, based on the fact that I feel like without it, I would have been confined to just the people around me. Tiktok was my ticket to reaching other crowds and gave me a platform. The thing about Tiktok is that it levels the playground, and that’s what I appreciate about the app.
Talk to me about how it felt to have a song as big as “Ole” with Bnxn.
“See Finish” set the bar very high, and I was supposed to release “Ole” [afterwards] but I told my management something felt off – I didn’t have Bnxn’s verse on it yet. […] When I heard Bnxn’s verse for “Ole,” I knew that was what I felt was missing. “Why” and “See Finish” played a role in my start, but “Ole” solidified my artistry and my acceptance here in Africa.
We hear of many young artists wanting to remain independent. What informed your decision to sign a deal in 2022 and how would you describe your time with the label so far?
I didn’t know how to release music, so I got signed to JTON Music a couple of days before I released “See Finish.” Then I got signed to Columbia Records through Bu Vision after “See Finish.” It’s way harder for an upcoming artist to get ahead without the help of a group, it looks and feels more organised and prepared when there’s a team behind you, in my opinion. I feel you can do so much more—music videos, interviews—there’s a lot of help, and my label is supportive of me. I feel like at the start, you need a powerhouse. Regardless, I understand artists who want to be independent.
As part of the new guard of African music, how best do you feel you and your peers can take advantage of what is happening on a global scale?
I’m excited that this generation is super accepting. Because there are artists in Nigeria, for example, who make music outside of the Afrobeats style; there are alternative artists and jazz artists here. Now it’s worldwide, so you’re going to find your crowd regardless, which is a really beautiful thing, and I’m glad that the artists are also not holding back.
Currently, your song “American Love” is one of the hottest songs in Africa. For the past three years, you have had a charting song each year. How does that make you feel? Does that put some pressure on you?
I’m just winging it. So far, it’s been going extremely well, and I’m not planning anything step by step because I believe God is taking me there. For that reason, I’m not pressured, and I know God is taking me to another level.
Do you have any last words for your fans and our readers?
Thanks to everyone for liking, streaming, downloading, and engaging with my music. Thank you to those who were here from the beginning and stuck around. Thank you to those who love me and those who hate me, and God bless you all. Expect to see more projects and collaborations.
CREDITS: This publication first appeared on imullar.com 2024/03/12
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