Qing Madi has described the earnings in the music industry as extremely lucrative, likening it to the profits associated with the drug trade.
The 19-year-old singer, whose real name is Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma, made the remark while speaking during a recent appearance on the Tea With Tay podcast.
According to the fast-rising artist, musicians can earn far more in a single performance than many Nigerians make from months or even years of conventional employment.
She explained that while music has brought her financial independence, she intentionally avoids showing off her wealth on social media because she does not want money to define how people perceive her.
“Music money is not normal; it’s like drug money. I don’t think people know how huge it is,” she said. “I’m not the type of person who buys things and posts them online because I feel that would change how the media sees me. I don’t like people looking at me and only seeing money. But I am rich.”
The singer also compared the income of artists with that of the average Nigerian worker, noting that a typical employee might earn about ₦500,000 monthly, while a musician could earn tens of millions of naira from just one performance.
Beyond the financial aspect, Qing Madi also spoke about the emotional role music plays for many Nigerians. She suggested that the country’s strong connection to music may be linked to limited access to professional therapy, with many people turning to songs for emotional relief and escape.
According to her, music often serves as a form of therapy for listeners, helping them cope with stress, personal struggles, and everyday challenges.