7th June, 2023
By Taiye Olayemi
Spotify has announced Nigerian sensation singer, Chimamanda Chukwuma, popularly known as “Qing Madi”, as its EQUAL Africa artiste for June.
Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s head of music for Sub-Saharan Africa, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
It partly read, “We are proud to welcome Qing Madi to the EQUAL programme and we are so excited to see how her talent continues to take her from strength to strength.
“We hope by shining a light on talent like hers, we can inspire a new generation of creators.
“Since her arrival on the Nigerian music scene, the multi-talented songwriter and entertainer has captivated fans with her craft, and this month, she is being recognised as Spotify’s EQUAL Africa ambassador for June.
In her response, Qing Madi said “As a female in the male dominated industry, I have to work a million times harder to be seen and heard.
“Being part of the Equal programme is an opportunity as a female to be visible globally and to grow my fanbase,” she said.
Qing Madi, who said she grew up listening to songs from Tiwa Savage, Davido, Burna Boy and Wande Coal described the sound tone and style of her music as Afro, R&B and a limitless sense of emotion.
The singer advised individuals pursuing their career as an artiste to “always deafen your ears to the crowd and focus on beginning.”
“I speak Spanish and Igbo as someone that was born, bred and raised in Nigeria. More so, I am currently learning Mandarin.
“One more thing, I am obsessed with learning to the point where I do it unintentionally. Music for me wasn’t just a talent or an ability that I had, not something that I was able to do, it was a life I wanted to live, a feeling that I wanted to express.
“Music is my shallow thoughts spoken loudly. It is my comfortable and confident space as a teenager. I knew it was my destiny from the first time I climbed on stage and held the microphone at seven years old,” she said.
NAN