Qing Madi had already made a strong impression with her self-titled EP in 2023. The project was driven by two major hits, American Love and Ole, featuring Bnxn, which helped her with a place in the music industry. With her 2024 album, I Am the Blueprint, Madi continues to carve her unique path by steering away from the prevalent amapiano-infused dance beats, instead favouring slow-to-midtempo production. Her soulful soprano and introspective songwriting remain at the core of her artistry, often exploring themes of love, relationships, and personal growth.
Across I Am the Blueprint, Qing Madi revisits the complexities of love and relationships, crafting lyrics that speak to the universal highs and lows of romantic experiences. For Madi, songwriting is more than just artistic expression—it is a way to validate emotions and connect with listeners on a profound level. She sees her music as a form of storytelling that offers both comfort and guidance, as demonstrated in songs like Damn It All, an empowering anthem encouraging women to set boundaries and reclaim their emotional well-being. Similarly, Akanchawa explores themes of attraction and desire, capturing the excitement of infatuation through vibrant and evocative storytelling.
Madi’s creative versatility is also evident in tracks like It’s a Game, where she embraces her passion for R&B without compromise. She describes the song as a reflection of her artistic authenticity, created without the pressure of catering to external expectations. Meanwhile, Pressure serves as a deeply personal moment on the album, documenting a period of spiritual struggle and self-reflection. By channelling her emotions into music, she finds solace and uses her craft as a form of escapism. These introspective themes are balanced by songs like Goosebumps, which captures the exhilarating yet consuming nature of love, and Right Here, a self-affirming track where she acknowledges her role as a storyteller providing listeners with the music they need to hear.
With I Am the Blueprint, Qing Madi asserts herself as a distinct voice in the contemporary Afrobeats landscape. Her ability to blend diverse musical influences, paired with her emotive lyricism and rich vocal delivery, makes her a standout artist with a promising future. IATB is a must-listen!
Listen to I Am The Blueprint here.
