Qing Madi drops exclusive single for Apple Music’s International Women’s Day campaign

Last year Apple Music launched Alpha, an all-genre playlist centered around women’s empowerment. This year, Apple Music have selected 11 rising female artists to create an exciting fresh take on a song from their own Alpha artist that serves as a force of nature in their respective genres.

Africa’s contribution to Apple Music’s International Women’s Day/Month 2025 campaign comes from none other than Nigerian soul singer-songwriter  Qing Madi covering “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus.

“To me, ‘Wrecking Ball’ represents strength in vulnerability,” Nigerian artist Qing Madi tells Apple Music about the Miley Cyrus song she’s covered, featuring now on Alpha. “There’s this idea that being strong means never breaking, never showing emotions, but real strength is being able to feel everything deeply and still rise above it. Women go through so much—personally, professionally, emotionally—but we always find a way to rebuild, to come back stronger. This song is about embracing every part of that journey, and that’s what makes it such a powerful statement for women’s empowerment.”

“Alpha is about celebrating women who own their voices and their stories, and I felt this song was the perfect way to express that,” she says of her contribution to the playlist redefining the meaning of a woman’s power. “Miley Cyrus delivered it with so much passion, and I wanted to bring my own interpretation, fusing my sound with its deep emotions. I also love how music connects people across cultures, and covering this song allowed me to show that no matter where we come from, emotions and storytelling in music are universal.”

Madi’s connection to “Wrecking Ball” runs deep. “I remember hearing it when I was 10 years old,” she says, “and being so drawn to its emotion. It was one of those songs that just stayed with me. Even as a kid, I could feel how powerful it was. Now, years later, getting the opportunity to cover it feels like a full-circle moment for me as an artist.”

Along with Cyrus, Madi also cites artists including Brandy, Tems, Beyoncé and Billie Eilish as women she looks up to. “Brandy, because of her insane vocal skills—she’s a legend. Tems, because she’s proving that African women can take up space globally and do it our way. Beyoncé, because her work ethic, stage presence and artistry are unmatched. And Billie Eilish, because she’s never afraid to be herself, to push boundaries and to redefine what it means to be a young female artist in today’s world. These women have paved the way in different ways, and they all remind me to stay true to myself and keep pushing forward.”

These artists—and those featured on Alpha—are indeed history-makers and game-changers. But Alpha’s more than that. These songs touch on every facet of what womanhood might look and feel like, to one woman—or many. It’s a place for starting conversations, uplifting one another and challenging notions through the simple matter of being. Now that’s real power.

sub-Saharan Africa – Qing Madi covering “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus 
Global/US – Lexa Gates covering “I Heard Love is Blind” by Amy Winehouse
Global/Classical – Anastasia Kobekina covering “my future” by Billie EiIish
United Kingdom Single – JADE covering “Frozen” by Madonna
Australia/NZL – Mallrat covering “Radio by Lana Del Rey
Canada – Nemahsis covering “Team” by Lorde
China – Lexie Liu covering “Decaptacon” by Le Tigre
France – Styleto covering “Résiste” by France Gall
Germany – Loi covering “Hello” by Adele
Japan – MoMo covering “Woman” by Doja Cat
Mexico/PanLat – RaiNao covering “Génesis” by Lucecita Benitez