Artist: Chella (Uzochukwu Michael Ikechukwu, b. July 9, 2000) musicmetricsvault.com+12en.wikipedia.org+12music.apple.com+12
Released: October 1, 2024
Tracks: 6 | Length: ~16 minutes
Genre: Afro-Fusion / Afrobeat
🌟 Brand-New Voice with Character
Chella burst onto the scene with the viral single “Nyash na Nyash” in April 2024. His debut EP retains that bold, playful energy while delving deeper into vulnerability, financial strain, and romance pulse.ng+8music.apple.com+8music.apple.com+8.
🔥 Standout Tracks
- “Wahala” – Highlife-tinged opener setting a confident, emotive tone topchartsafrica.com+12qobuz.com+12music.apple.com+12.
- “Ewo” – Reflective track on falling in love, mellow and thoughtful qobuz.com+6music.apple.com+6music.apple.com+6.
- “Iweriwe Love” – Subtle percussion and narrative flair as he processes the end of a relationship en.wikipedia.org+7music.apple.com+7music.apple.com+7.
- “Broke” – Energetic drums and witty lyrics push back against societal pressure to be financially well-off en.wikipedia.org+12music.apple.com+12music.apple.com+12.
- “Bill” – A fan favorite—bright, catchy, and perfect for both road trips and playlists music.apple.com+4trendyhiphop.com+4vistanaij.com+4.
- “Nyash na Nyash (Remix)” feat. Young Jonn – A thrilling updated version of his viral hit that closes the tape with flair topchartsafrica.com+7music.apple.com+7musicmetricsvault.com+7.
💡 Why It Matters
- Authenticity & Range: Chella goes from comedy (“Broke”) to introspection (“Ewo”) without losing his signature charm pulse.ng+12music.apple.com+12music.apple.com+12.
- Production Quality: Smoothly arranged beats and instrumentation support his storytelling, especially on tracks like Bill .
- Contemporary Relevance: At ~16 minutes long, the EP is concise yet impactful—ideal for today’s fast-paced listening trends.
📊 Impact & Momentum
- Viral beginnings: “Nyash na Nyash” went viral in spring 2024.
- Charting artist: Chella’s follow-up single “My Darling” (Mar 2025) hit #1 on Global Shazam and peaked at #8 on U.S. Billboard Afrobeats music.apple.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6pulse.ng+6.
- Streaming success: Over 31 million global streams; 3.1 million monthly listeners. Top tracks include “My Darling” (~19M), “Nyash na Nyash” (~5M), plus EP staples like “Iweriwe Love,” “Wahala,” and “Broke” vistanaij.com+9musicmetricsvault.com+9qobuz.com+9.
🎯 Verdict
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Tears of a Mad Man showcases Chella’s versatility—mixing humor, heart, and earworm melodies. It’s a sharp debut that signals major potential.
