In an interview with Sunday Scoop, Udeigwe explained the song's intent: "The song fulfils its purpose of raising consciousness for people to make the best of each day while also entertaining them." "Today" is infused with jazz and Afrobeat elements and, according to Udeigwe, "explores a wide range of issues that the contemporary African deals with."
A Decades-Long Passion for Music
Despite his demanding academic career, Udeigwe's passion for music remains steadfast. "Music is my first love," he shared. His musical journey dates back to 2006 when he released his first album, followed by forming his first band in Pittsburgh in 2007. He describes this as "close to two decades’ worth of slow but steady work."
Notably, Udeigwe is now performing under his real name, moving away from his previous pseudonym, Lorens Chuno. He explained this shift, stating, "But in the past few years, I started to see the need to have a more encompassing name that encapsulates my personal, academic, and artistic life."
Eyeing Collaborations and Untapped Niches in Nigerian Music
Commenting on the current Nigerian music landscape, Udeigwe observed that while it is "flourishing," there's still a "huge unoccupied space that Nigerian music could be filling." Specifically, he pointed out that listener-friendly and purely instrumental music, once popular across various ethnic groups, is largely an untapped genre today.
The Enugu-born musician, who was raised in Makurdi, expressed his aspirations to collaborate with some of Nigeria's prominent music stars. He hopes to work with artists such as Tiwa Savage, Flavour, The Cavemen, Ladipoe, and Niniola, stating, "I’d be honoured to work with any of the established folks."
Professor Udeigwe's "Today" offers a unique blend of insightful lyrics and rich musicality, reflecting his diverse background and commitment to both intellectual and artistic pursuits.