From his Chaplin-esque visuals to the fusion sounds that echo both joy and melancholy, Chella is fast becoming one of Afrobeats’ most exciting breakout voices. In this interview with Guardian Music, the singer talks about his viral hit My Darling, his creative journey across Nigerian cities, and the global vision behind his rising music empire.
When Nigerian fusionist Uzochukwu Ikechukwu, professionally known as Chella, broke out within Afrobeats circles with his debut project, Tears of a Mad Man, last year, it was not just his witty indigenous lyricism that easily stole the hearts of listeners.
His captivating visual imagery reminds one of Charlie Chaplin’s famed ‘Tramp’ character, whose insanity strengthened Chaplin’s raw and relatable storytelling.
Beyond his successful use of ‘organised insanity’ as a visual marker, Chella is also a consummate hitmaker. His hits — including the Young Jonn-assisted Nyansh na Yansh, Iweriwe Love, Wahala, and his most recent opus My Darling — earned him widespread virality, netting combined plays of at least 34 million Spotify streams. His My Darling record also became the most Shazamed song in the world, in April, alongside unlocking instant TikTok virality for the singer.
Last month, the Abia indigene also released a four-tracker remix extended playlist of his global hit, My Darling, with guest features from Tanzanian singer Diamond Platnumz; South African singer Zee Nxumalo; Nigerian-British rapper Not3s; and Moroccan-Belgian act Tawsen, further propelling his rise across Africa and elsewhere. Beyond the digital rise, his dancehall-pop fusion soars with an original artistic imprint that reflects his life experiences with love, survival, resilience, and romance.
Catching up with Guardian Music, the young singer reflects on his rise, his creativity, where his sound is headed next, and his mission to share his talent with the rest of the world.
What inspired your music journey?
I’ve been doing music since I was a kid. I think it might be hereditary, but I have loved music since childhood. I don’t have any actual factor that I can trace as my motivation to do music. I have always just wanted to do music.
Where was the first time you recorded music?
Abuja. I had to record a song for a competition that involved singing and rap battles. It was called Toxic Feelings. From there, I started recording covers, and that is how I’ve been doing it till now.
Tell us the inspiration behind your most viral song, My Darling.
It is a song that is mixed with different vibes and emotions. I wanted to create something to ‘feel-good’, and also make some ‘feel-sad’ song; it’s about a girl feeling insecure. I was reflecting on it like, “Emerem Ogini? (Did I do anything wrong?), my darling?” I went on to ask, “You know, tell me what I owe you. Tell me what you want me to give to you.” So, these moments were the inspiration.
What else were you going to pursue before music?
I’m an actor. I am also very good in business, but I think it must always be music, for me, though.
Can you walk us through your creative process?
I just love to make the beat, first. I love to hear the beat sound nice enough, and I can flow in any vibe. The beat should just be nice. Then I follow the inspiration and vibe according to how my inner voice leads me.
Basically, how would you describe your sound?
I would just say it’s a sweet melody mixed with vibe, emotions, and melodies.
Tell us about your childhood experiences.
I was born in Abuja, but I didn’t grow up there; I moved to my hometown, in Abia, and then later to Benue, Onitsha, and back to Abuja. So, I was just moving around, growing everywhere, and doing my stuff. Wherever I was, I was still doing music, but I feel like Abuja contributed a lot because that was where I met people I had to compete with. I went to singing competitions and I got discouraged and motivated at the same time. I had to tell myself that I could not continue trying my luck with competitions. I knew I had to go online. That is when I went online with my vibe and people loved it.
Who are some of your earliest childhood influences?
Juice World, may his soul rest in peace, was the first person to inspire me. Then, Billie Eilish, and Rihanna. Within Nigeria, I loved so many people’s sounds and I cannot even mention any particular person as they all shaped my sound in one way or another.
So what’s next for you now in your music journey?
So, I’ll be dropping one single next, and then another EP, and then after that, I’ll be on my tour. My tour will be in Europe, the UK, Canada, and Morocco.
Tell us about what inspired your name, Chella.
The name was inspired by my real name, the name my mother gave me, Mitchell and my father gave me Micheal. I only know myself as Michel, because that’s what everybody calls me. You know, the name your mummy gives to you is the one everybody will know! Mitchell itself means, ‘Nobody is like the Lord’. I removed the Mit, and then I added an ‘a’ at the end to get Chella.
What sound style are you looking to experiment with next?
I have a lot of exciting fusions that I intend to introduce in the future to people. I have some chants, which I cannot even describe right now, and a lot of styles I would bring out. There is also this rap-singing vibe I think I’m going to inspire with soon. Rap-singing is going to be like, a bit rap, a bit singing, and it would sound very hard.
What are some of the things you enjoy doing in your spare time aside from music?
I love being alone and listening to people making music. I feel already attached; I don’t do games, movies, or anything else; it is just the music.
Finally, what is the vision for your career?
I am taking it global, bringing my vibe to non-Nigerians [and] making them connect with it. I mean, the uniqueness you use, you’re talking about making them used to it and making everybody know that you can do it without the devil.
