What if the blueprint is you?\u00a0a guide and a ghost, proof that something existed before it was ever built.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n By Nana Yaa S.A Agyemang<\/em><\/p>\n The music scene in Nigeria has seen an influx of talented rising stars over the past few years, but Qing Madi\u2019s rise, in particular, has been special. Seeing her journey unfold has been nothing short of incredible. From recording covers, going viral, and reeling in milestones to performing on the biggest stages in the world, she\u2019s not just another rising star, she\u2019s a force to reckon with.She made a statement with her self-titled EP,\u00a0Qing Madi<\/em>, and now, with her debut album\u00a0I Am the Blueprint<\/em>, she challenges the notion of industry standards. If anyone thought they were the benchmark, they thought wrong. The title \u2013 striking and audacious \u2013 declares that she isn\u2019t following a pre-existing playbook; she\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0the playbook.<\/p>\n The album comprises 13 songs: an alternative R&B album that fuses R&B with genres such as afrobeats, soul, dancehall, pop, and reggae. The production is minimalistic yet profound, permitting her vocals and emotions to be the main character of the show. She effortlessly blends soft, acoustic-driven melodies with percussive Afrobeats rhythms, showcasing her range across different moods and tempos.<\/p>\n Songs like\u00a0\u201cBucket List\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0express a testament to fighting for something greater than the present. It\u2019s not entirely personal; it\u2019s an invitation for her listeners to dream, to seek a future beyond limits, to hail the individuals who uplift us, and to trust that every step forward is guided by something bigger than ourselves.<\/p>\n \u201cAli Bomaye,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0inspired by the legendary resilience of Muhammad Ali, re-envisions a different kind of fight, not one of uppercuts, but one where vulnerability is a safety net and trust is prevalent. It\u2019s a fight song for those who have found love or who seek a love that feels like a warm hug on a Sunday morning.<\/p>\n I think we may have the wedding song of the year with\u00a0\u201cAkanchawa\u201d<\/strong>, which loosely translates to\u00a0\u201cgood hands\u201d<\/em>\u00a0in Igbo. It\u2019s the song you want played at your African traditional wedding as you dance toward your prospective husband. It\u2019s an ode to how the very sight of your lover enthralls your thoughts, body, and soul.<\/p>\n On\u00a0\u201cDamn It All,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0she taps into her inner\u00a0Shenseea, finessing a flawless dancehall delivery that adds a layer of dynamism to the project. She tells her listeners: choosing\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0is never a loss, know when to walk away from what no longer serves you.<\/p>\n In\u00a0\u201cPressure,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0fame can be a turbulent sea when it rushes in too soon. Yet, she calls on\u00a0\u1eccl\u1ecdhu\u1e45<\/em>, knowing His love will see her through. The brilliance of\u00a0Pressure<\/em>\u00a0lies in its wordplay, where\u00a0\u201cAll on\u201d<\/em>\u00a0phonetically mirrors\u00a0\u201c\u1eccl\u1ecdhu\u1e45\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n In\u00a0\u201cFavourite Psycho,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0the guitar riff is reminiscent of\u00a0Sting\u2019s Shape of My Heart and Juice WRLD\u2019s Lucid Dreams.\u00a0<\/em>It\u2019s a declaration of unconditional love and unwavering loyalty, even in the face of deception and mixed signals.<\/p>\n \u201cRight Here\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0starts off invitingly with a melodic guitar riff. The bass guitar joins in unison, adding a layer of depth to the beat just before her vocals are introduced. A faint siren dub is accompanied by steppers, while a striking staccato reggae strum is heard throughout the song.\u00a0Right Here<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>is a reminder to stay devoted to the cause, even when there\u2019s no motive to keep going. Life is worth living and celebrating.\u00a0C\u2019est la vie.<\/em><\/p>\n Trick question:\u00a0Brandy\u2019s\u00a0Right Here<\/em>\u00a0or Qing Madi\u2019s\u00a0Right Here<\/em>?\u00a0<\/strong>It\u2019s easy to lose track of what the goal is when our demons creep up, and just like the perfect ending to a fairy tale, Qing says:\u201cFocus on the needed, and believe me, you gon\u2019 have it all.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>Ultimately,\u00a0I Am The Blueprint\u00a0<\/em>is evidence of her vision and artistry, As her story continues to unfold, this debut sets the pace for even greater things to come.<\/p>\n Listen to \u2018I am the blueprint\u201d below: <\/em><\/p>\n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/harmattanrain.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_3353.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)