Don't Forget: Eye Wey Dey Cry No Dey See Road!

Don't Forget: Eye Wey Dey Cry No Dey See Road!

Bagetti Hard Girl (2024)

In 2016, scientists at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute conducted a comprehensive study that proved what seems obvious: you shouldn’t get behind the wheel while being emotionally stirred up. The research included more than 3,500 participants and showed that the risk of crashing increases nearly tenfold when driving in an angry, sad or upset state of mind. 

The popular Nigerian proverb "eye wey dey cry no dey see road" is based on the idea the researchers examined. Literally the pidgin saying means that "a crying eye cannot see the road." In the figurative sense it suggests that you might not make the best decisions when you’re overwhelmed with emotions or in a state of distress. 

On her debut EP, Bagetti uses the proverb, underpinning the encouraging message of her melancholic yet strong Kizomba-inspired breakup song “Hard Girl”. If you listen closely, you realize that the Nigerian singer isn’t just talking about the emotions you deal with during a breakup that make you a hazardous road user, but also about the means you use to distract yourself from the situation: “Pour me the whisky, two shot with Tequila, yeah-yeah,” Bagetti demands at one point 🥲

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