Afrobeats singer Qing Madi has accused Joy Tongo, CEO of JTon Music, of forging her signature. The allegation emerged after multiple tracks from her new album Barely Legal were removed from streaming platforms. Madi linked the takedowns to her recent legal victory over a $2-million lawsuit filed by Tongo, which she said was dismissed in her favour. During a livestream, she claimed Tongo had stolen from her and engaged in other misconduct. "She stole from me, did a bunch of weird things like forging my signature. She sued me for $2M & she lost the case," Madi stated. She added that the song "Pepper Me" was illegally taken down and that she and her team had to intervene to restore it. Madi alleged that after the court ruling, the project was targeted again for removal. Joy Tongo has responded, calling Madi's claims "false." Tongo, who was Madi's label boss before their split, did not provide further details in her rebuttal. Madi released Barely Legal independently following her exit from JTon Music. The album's removal from digital platforms lasted briefly before being reinstated. No legal action beyond the dismissed lawsuit has been confirmed by either party. Streaming rights and ownership remain central to the dispute. Madi did not specify when or where the alleged forgery occurred. She attributed the sabotage to retaliation for winning the court case.
Qing Madi says Joy Tongo forged her signature and then lost a $2-million lawsuit trying to block her music, yet still managed to remove her album from streaming platforms. The ability to take down Barely Legal despite a lost case suggests the system favours label power over artist rights, even when courts rule otherwise. If Tongo could act after a legal defeat, other young artists without Madi's reach may have no recourse at all. The incident exposes how control over distribution can override judicial outcomes in music contracts.
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