African Song Translations
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Owu Sa Gi
Wizboyy ft. Zoro
Igbo
English
Nigerian Pidgin
Yoruba
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Chorus
OriginalTranslationNotes
Owu sa gi ooo, ke ega mara ife eeehWhen poverty strikes you, then you will understand thingsIgbo. 'Owu sa gi' literally means 'poverty strikes/afflicts you'. This is the core message of the song - experiencing poverty teaches life lessons.
Nwanne'm owu sa gi ooo, ị ga-amara ife eeehMy brother, when poverty strikes you, you will understand thingsIgbo. 'Nwanne'm' means 'my brother/sister' - a term of endearment and solidarity.
Nwanne'm owu sa gi ooo, na there you go amara ịfe eeeMy brother, when poverty strikes you, and there you go, you will understand thingsMix of Igbo and English. Code-switching between languages shows the bilingual nature of Nigerian urban youth.
Iya o n ṣomi ọbẹ tẹra mọṣẹ ko ma ṣọlẹPoverty is preparing soup/stew for me, it has not yet poured it on meYoruba. Metaphor meaning poverty is brewing trouble but hasn't fully manifested yet. Shows the multi-ethnic nature of Nigerian music.
Verse 1
OriginalTranslationNotes
To hammer money, no be small thing oTo make big money is not a small thingNigerian Pidgin. 'Hammer' means to hit it big or make a lot of money suddenly.
Brother sister, poverty ajogbuo la owen yaBrother sister, poverty has destroyed many peopleMix of English and Igbo. 'Ajogbuo' means 'has destroyed/killed'.
From Monday to Sunday I dey on top my systemFrom Monday to Sunday I am working on my computerNigerian Pidgin. Describes hustle culture - working constantly to escape poverty.
Dey tidy sequencing, ka odi kwa ka ana emeDoing music production/sequencing, as things are being doneMix of English and Igbo. References his work as a music producer.
Now I don make my money, fizzy to efizyNow I have made my money, from nothing to somethingNigerian Pidgin with invented words. Expresses the journey from zero to success.
Onye were obi eji eri ego, make you carry dey goThe person with patience eats money, take it and goIgbo. Proverb about patience and wisdom in handling wealth.
Jikeleji, brother, jikeleji, sister, jikeleki paddyHold it tight, brother, hold it tight, sister, hold it tight friendMix of Igbo and English. 'Jike' means 'hold tight'. Advice to guard your money carefully.
No let money fall your hand ohDon't let money slip from your handsNigerian Pidgin. Warning against wastefulness or losing money through carelessness.
Verse 2
OriginalTranslationNotes
Owusagi bros, you go mala ifePoor brother, you will know things/experience hardshipIgbo. Direct address to someone experiencing poverty.
If you doubt me ask John malaifeIf you doubt me ask John who knows thingsMix of English and Igbo. 'Malaife' could be a play on words or reference to someone named John.
Eh, m'jide ego guys ana ta ifeEh, I hold money guys are buying thingsMix of English and Igbo. Describes having money while watching others spend.
Umu nwanyi ebenile ana elifeGirls everywhere are living/enjoying lifeIgbo. Commentary on how women are attracted to wealth.
But beta anu beta anu, na aru namaBut better you hear better you hear, it is just body/appearanceMix of English and Igbo. Warning that material displays are superficial.
Onye jide nke ya, opam uo, gbaji akwala, na kwaraPerson hold your own, don't be a fool, don't fall, in KwaraIgbo with reference to Kwara state. Advice to mind your business and stay focused.
One girl onye gala m'furu na buka nga di hausa na gba salahOne girl I saw who was bigger than a Hausa man praying salahMix of Igbo and English with cultural reference. Humorous description of a large woman, comparing her size to a Muslim man at prayer.
Im jiri make ya, go ye everybody amalaShe used it to make sure everyone knowsNigerian Pidgin. Commentary on ostentatious display.
Ndi igbo ibe'm nu di e, bu yen ha udaraMy fellow Igbo people who are here, that's what has fallen on themIgbo. Describing the situation affecting his people.
Day by day, ego'm ana gbadaDay by day, my money is climbing/increasingMix of English and Igbo. Testimony of financial progress.
I need to sell my Honda hallaI need to sell my Honda and say hello/goodbyeEnglish. May refer to upgrading from a Honda or financial desperation.
Like play like play, a depot um from kwara m'nata cool city now ne elezi galaBefore you know it, a depot/warehouse from Kwara I got cool city now we are going thereMix of Nigerian Pidgin, English and Igbo. 'Like play like play' means 'suddenly' or 'before you know it'.
Allah, owu sala m, m'bili akwa, agbusi gba otule, otule agbuluatoAllah, poverty should leave me, I cry tears, it shoots however, however it killsMix of Arabic invocation and Igbo. 'Allah' shows Islamic influence in Nigerian culture. Expression of desperation about poverty's devastating effects.
Verse 3
OriginalTranslationNotes
Gi mene ni acho ie nu ife anyi gwara giWhat you are doing is the thing we told youIgbo. Speaking to someone who didn't heed advice.
Onwen iyen eme yi, onwen iye eme yiNobody is doing it for you, nobody is doing it for youIgbo. Emphasis on self-reliance and personal responsibility.
Gi mene ni anadim ene ani anyaWhat you are doing I am watchingIgbo. Observing someone's actions critically.
Si zwe to ni, si zwe to niSay it's okay, say it's okayPidgin-influenced Igbo. Phrase of encouragement or acceptance.
Ni tomi ro naija to brazilFrom Nigeria to BrazilMix of languages. Reference to the African diaspora connection - many Brazilians have Nigerian/African ancestry.
Everything na double doubleEverything is double double/multipliedNigerian Pidgin. Things are expanding or multiplying - either blessings or problems depending on context.
Wun le le, wun le le, wun le le, let's goSound effect/celebration chant, let's goWun le le is a celebratory sound, mixing with English to create party atmosphere.