Qing Madi’s old and new labels clash over contract and court ruling

Nigerian singer Chimamanda “Qing Madi” Chukwuma's old record label, JTon Music, and her new label, KFMD, are in a serious fight.

This fight is about her contract, claims of harassment, a disputed court ruling, and other issues.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that in April, Qing Madi accused JTon Music of pulling her song from Spotify, trying to ruin her success, and harassing her to stop her career from growing.

In response, JTon Music posted a statement on its X page on Friday. They called the 19-year-old's claims false, unfair, and misleading.

The label insisted that the issue is a legal and business matter focused on contracts and music rights.

Statement

The statement, signed by management, said: "Our attention has been drawn to certain public statements and online publications concerning the ongoing legal dispute involving JTON Entertainment Limited DBA JTON Music, Joy Tongo, and Amanda Pcari Chukwuma PK/A Qing Madi. Ordinarily, we would not respond to matters that are already before a competent Court of law.

"However, given the nature of the statements being circulated, it has become necessary to clarify JTON’s position in the interest of fairness, accuracy, and public understanding. JTON Music is a law-abiding company. At all times, JTON has chosen to seek justice and protect its rights strictly through lawful means and within the ambit of the law."

Suing denial

The label also denied taking the “See Finish” singer to court. They explained that she started the legal action against them.

They said they are following due process, only taking legal steps to protect their investments and business interests.

"For clarity, JTON did not initiate these disputes in the public space. The artist first approached the Court, and JTON has only taken lawful steps in response to protect its investment, business interests, contractual rights, and the work put into the artist’s career. JTON has no personal issue with the artist.

"This matter is not about intimidation, bullying, or any threat to her person. It is a legal and commercial dispute concerning rights, obligations, investment, and the protection of works and opportunities developed during the course of a professional relationship."

Harassment

JTon Music also rejected claims of harassment and intimidation. They said they have no personal grudge against the artist.

"It is therefore deeply concerning that the matter is now being presented online as though JTON or its officers are threatening the artist’s life or engaging in harassment. These allegations are false, unfair, and capable of misleading the public. JTON categorically states that it has not threatened the artist, nor has it authorized anyone to threaten, harass, intimidate, or endanger her in any way. Any suggestion to the contrary is completely denied.

"The recent ruling of the High Court of Lagos State, Nigeria, should not be misrepresented. The Court did not hold that JTON had no case. In fact, the Court granted part of JTON’s interlocutory injunction application and restrained the artist from releasing, publishing, or performing music, recordings, or content produced, promoted, or financed under JTON and from entering into new agreements or deals using the brand or professional platform developed by JTON pending the determination of the suit," added the label.

Agreements

The label said it will keep respecting the court, uphold the artist’s personhood and autonomy, and pursue its legal and contractual rights responsibly.

It also promised to honor all valid agreements and resolve disputes through the right legal and contractual channels.

It noted, "It is important also to note that JTON Music also has a recording and distribution agreement with Sony Music and Bu Vision. These arrangements remain subject to lawful enforcement and must be respected by all parties. Where recordings fall within those arrangements, they cannot be released, distributed, or commercially exploited outside the agreed structure without the necessary authorization. JTON’s position is to ensure that all parties respect existing obligations.

"All actions taken so far, and all actions to be taken in the future, will be within the confines of the law and under the supervision of the Court in Nigeria and in New York. We urge the public, media platforms, commentators, and fans to allow the judicial process to take its course and to refrain from spreading unverified claims that may prejudice the ongoing proceedings."

KFMD kicks

Meanwhile, Qing Madi’s new label, KFMD, fired back at JTon Music in a statement on its Instagram page on Friday. They accused the old label of "misinterpreting" the court order.

KFMD said the court decided that the singer was a minor when she signed her contracts with JTon Music.

The label promised to set the record straight. They said they will not let the public be misled because the facts are clear and on public record.

They noted, "JTON’s claim that the artist ‘first approached the Court’ is false. In Suit No LD/5242CMW/2025 before the High Court of Lagos State, JTON Entertainment Limited is the claimant and applicant. JTON filed the suit and the application for an injunction. Qing Madi is the defendant who was taken to court and successfully defended herself. JTON cannot file a case, lose its substance, and then position itself as the party seeking calm.

"On 25 May 2026, the Hon Justice TB. Sunmonu delivered a ruling that JTON is now misrepresenting. The Court held the following. The management contracts JTON relies on were executed when Qing Madi was 16, a minor. Under the Child’s Right Law of Lagos State 2015, the age of majority is 18. The Court found these to be infancy contracts, found them voidable, and found that Qing Madi validly repudiated them on reaching adulthood."

Rights

KFMD added that the singer has the legal right to cancel the contracts she signed as a minor now that she is of age. They said the court confirmed her right to choose her own manager.

The label also stated that the court gave her the right to negotiate and make new agreements, as well as to release and perform music under brands and platforms not linked to JTon Music.

"A court of law now confirms that right. The Court dismissed JTON’s attempt to stop her from benefiting from her own third-party relationships, including her relationship with Riot Games, because JTON could not prove that it facilitated them. The Court dismissed JTON’s application to silence her and her family because JTON produced no defamatory material. The Court dismissed JTON’s application to freeze her revenue.

"The single narrow order JTON now waves around is a temporary measure that holds the position on specific recordings financed under the repudiated contracts while the substantive case is heard. It is not a finding that JTON was right; it does not touch Qing Madi’s independent catalogue, her new music, or her freedom to build her career on her own terms. JTON is presenting a holding order as a win. It is nothing of the sort."

Contract termination

The label also pointed out that Qing Madi ended her relationship with JTon in May 2025 for two reasons.

They said no court issued any order stopping Qing Madi from releasing or using her music.

The label mentioned that Audiomack reviewed JTon’s notices and saw them as a contract dispute disguised as copyright infringement. They refused to act without a court order, which JTon does not have.

"First, she signed as a child and elected to void those contracts as an adult, which the law allows and the Court has now confirmed. Second, and more seriously, she lost all confidence in JTON’s management of her career and her money. JTON was supposed to conduct a yearly audit of the parties’ accounts. It never did.

"The Court itself found JTON in breach of that obligation and noted that anyone managing the affairs of a young artist must be above reproach. JTON failed that standard."