As 2025 draws to a close, one undeniable truth stands above the rest in Nigerian music: Chella’s “My Darling” isn’t just a hit.
According to year-end streaming data on YouTube Music, “My Darling” finished the year as the most streamed Nigerian song of 2025, amassing over 143 million recorded streams globally. This achievement is unprecedented for a single track in Nigeria’s contemporary music era, especially on a platform as massive as YouTube Music.
But how did a song released in a crowded musical landscape climb to the top, capturing billions of listening minutes and reshaping expectations for Afrobeats artists? This deep dive unpacks the artistic craft, marketing strategy, fan engagement, and cultural impact behind the phenomenon.
Before “My Darling” became a streaming phenomenon, Chella (Uzochukwu Michael Ikechukwu) was already a name rising within Nigeria’s music ecosystem.
A singer-songwriter with roots in Port Harcourt, Chella fused Afrobeats, R&B, and pop sensibilities to create a sound that bridges local identity with global appeal. Early singles hinted at mainstream promise.
YouTube Music’s unique advantage is the integration of both audio and video; meaning that viewers watched the music video and audio track versions cumulatively.
This dual consumption boosts total stream counts and extends shelf life.
In 2025, no music success story was complete without TikTok and “My Darling” was among the platform’s breakout audio trends.