There are few Igbo phrases more deeply embedded in the quotidian than the one Onyenze Nwa Amobi chose for Utali Ego, a single that shares its name with the project.
In Igbo, the phrase refers to the craving for money, the restless chase that prevents people from sleeping at night. “Ego” is money, and the word before it talks of want or appetite. Anyone who has seen a neighbor work from dawn to midnight, or felt the pressure of rent and school payments, knows exactly what it describes.
To speak it so plainly is a modest form of honesty. Most people chase money and claim they don’t. When a friend groans at Utali Ego after another grueling week, you learn it’s not just about cash but also about the cost of getting it.
The idea will resonate with anyone who has worked hard for little and has seen money alter people. It’s perfect for late nights, long drives, and those quiet moments when you’re asking yourself how much is enough.
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