Sarz
Birth nameOsabuohien Osaretin
Birth date17 March 1989 (age 37)
Birth placeBenin City, Edo State, Nigeria
GenreAfrobeats · pop · hip hop · R&B
OccupationRecord producer, musician
Years active2007–present
Label1789 Entertainment
InstrumentKeyboard · synthesizer · drum · shekere · sampler

Osabuohien Osaretin (born 17 March 1989),[1] better known by his stage name Sarz, is a Nigerian record producer, mixing engineer and musician. Born in Benin City, Edo State, he is popularly known for the tag "Sarz on the beat" or "Really", at the beginning or end of his music productions.[2][3]

His first full credit production work was for Lord of Ajasa's "See Drama" in 2007. He has produced tracks for Wizkid, Naeto C, Banky W, Skales, Shank, Reminisce, Goldie Harvey, eLDee, Wande Coal, YQ, Lojay and Niniola.[4][5] He was formerly signed to Trybe Records, but left the outfit after his contract expired in November 2013.[6]

Musical career

In 2010, Sarz produced the single "Joor Oh" and the remix for Jahbless which featured Durella, Ruggedman, Reminisce, Ice Prince and eLDee. The song won "Best Street Hop" and was nominated for "Best Collaboration" at The Headies 2011.[7] In 2011, he produced Shank's "Salute", eLDee's "Today Today" & "Wash Wash", Skales' "Mukulu", Goldie Harvey's "Don't Touch My Body" and Reminisce's "Kako Bi Chicken".[8] "Kako Bi Chicken" was nominated for "Best Street Hop" at The Headies 2012.[9][10] Later that year, he solely produced eLDee's Undeniable album (except "We Made It").[11]

At the 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, Sarz was nominated for the "Producer of the Year" award alongside Don Jazzy. Although Don Jazzy won the award, he ended up giving the award to Sarz.[12] Sarz won "Best New Producer" at the 2012 Dynamix Awards.[13] He went on to release his debut solo single "Beat of Life (Samba)" featuring Nigerian artiste, Wizkid, from his reportedly upcoming album.[14]

In 2014, he produced two songs on Wizkid's Ayo album, "Jaiye Jaiye" featuring Femi Kuti and "Kilofe".[15] He was mentioned as one of the five new music producers giving Don Jazzy a run for his money by the Premium Times Nigeria.[16] Sarz was reported to have signed an endorsement deal with Nike later that year.[17] Sarz was the executive producer for the official Hennessy Artistry 2014 theme song "Dance Go (Eau de Vie)", which featured Wizkid and 2Face Idibia.[18]

In April 2020, Sarz and fellow producer Shizzi decided to go live on Instagram for a face-off titled "The Battle of Hits" on 30 March 2020, which attracted a peak of 19.2k live viewers across the world.[19]

In 2021, Sarz released "Monalisa" with Lojay. "Monalisa" was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in 2023.[20]

Awards and nominations

YearEventPrizeRecipientResultRef
2012Dynamix AwardsMusic Producer of the YearHimself[21]
2013City People AwardsMusic Producer of the Year[22]
Nigerian Entertainment AwardsMusic Producer of the Year[23]
Song of the Year"Beat of Life (Samba)"
(featuring Wizkid)		[23]
South South Music AwardsProducer of the YearHimself[24]
2018The HeadiesProducer of the Year[25]
2019SoundCity MVP Awards FestivalAfrican Producer of the Year[26]
All Africa Music AwardsMusic Producer of the Year[27]
Songwriter of the YearSarz & Wurld for "Trobul"[28]
Best RnB DuoSarz & Wurld[29]
2021Afro X Digital AwardsMusic Producer of the YearHimself[30]
All Africa Music AwardsBest Artist, Duo or Group in African ContemporarySarz & Lojay for "Monalisa"[31]
2022The HeadiesProducer of the YearHimself[32]
All Africa Music AwardsAfrican Fans Favourite"Monalisa" (Remix) (Sarz & Lojay featuring Chris Brown)[33]

Discography

Main article: Sarz production discography

Studio albums

EPs

Compilation albums

References

  1. ^ Hip Hop World. "CLOSE UP ON THE STARS - SARZ ON THE BEAT". hiphopworldmagazine.com/. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  2. ^ Aribaba (24 October 2011). "Who Do This Beat... Top 10 Music Producers In Nigeria.". jaguda.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  3. ^ Samson, Abioye (11 December 2024). "10 Afrobeats Producers and Their Signature Tags". Afrocritik. Archived 11 December 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  4. ^ TooExclusive (14 July 2014). "TOP 10 MUSIC PRODUCERS IN NIGERIA". tooexclusive.com. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  5. ^ "Afrobeats is the Nigerian sound taking over pop music". Quartz. 15 February 2019. – via YouTube.
  6. ^ Osagie, Alonge. "Sarz Leaves Trybe Records, As He Signs Deal With NIKE". The NET. The NetNg. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  7. ^ Bella, Naija. "The 2011 Headies – 2Face Idibia, Wizkid, Dr SID, M.I, Darey, Ice Prince & Sir Shina Peters rule the Winners List!". BellaNaija. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  8. ^ "Interview With Sarz!". myacadaxtra.blogspot.co.uk/. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  9. ^ Jaguda (31 May 2011). "New Music: Kako Bi Chicken". jaguda.com. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  10. ^ Mgbolu, Charles. "Psquare, Bez lead Headies 2012 nominees list". Vanguard. Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  11. ^ Jaguda (2 July 2012). "Eldee Releases New Album, Undeniable". Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  12. ^ Osagie, Alonge. "Don Jazzy Bequeaths His "Producer Of The Year" Award to Sarz!". The NET. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  13. ^ "2012 Dynamix Awards Winner List". siliowhizper.blogspot.co.uk/. 28 December 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  14. ^ Quedy, Qazim (4 December 2012). "Single Premiere: Sarz Beat Of Life Feat Wizkid Official Release". 360nobs.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  15. ^ Donnett, Jim (6 September 2014). "Wizkid – AYO (Joy) [Album Art + Tracklisting]". tooxclusive.com. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  16. ^ Abimboye, Micheal (23 August 2013). "Five producers giving Don Jazzy a run for his money". Premium Times. Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  17. ^ Ovueraye, Onos. "BN Exclusive: Global Sportswear Giant Nike Endorses Music Producer Sarz". Bella Naija. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  18. ^ Adebanjo, Oluwafemi (2 October 2014). "2Face Idibia & Wizkid – Dance Go (Eau de Vie)". Archived from the original on 4 October 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  19. ^ "COVID-19: Sarz, Shizzi entertain fans on Instagram". Vanguard. 2020-04-04. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  20. ^ "Monalisa". 18845-6288-1. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  21. ^ SilioWhizper (28 December 2012). "Dynamix Awards Winner List". siliowhizper.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  22. ^ Peace Fm Online. "2013 City People Entertainment Awards: Full List of Winners". 2013 City People Entertainment Awards: Full List of Winners. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  23. ^ "Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2013 – View Full Nominees List". NotJustOk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  24. ^ LockDown Naija. "SOUTH SOUTH MUSIC AWARDS 2013 NOMINEES LISTS". LockDownNaija.com. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  25. ^ "Headies 2018: Full list of nominees". The Punch. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  26. ^ Ohunyon. "Here is the complete winners list at the SoundCity MVP Awards". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  27. ^ "Tiwa, Burna Boy, Wizkid, 2Baba, two others shine at 6th AFRIMA awards [FULL LIST]". The Punch. 24 November 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  28. ^ Bolaji Alonge (26 August 2019). "AFRIMAs 2019: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  29. ^ Motolani Alake (26 August 2019). "Here is the final list of nominees for AFRIMA 2019". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 13 September 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  30. ^ "Afrodigital Award winners". AfroxDigital.com
  31. ^ "All Africa Music Awards 2021: All The Nominees". www.musicinafrica.net. Music In Africa. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  32. ^ "2022 Headies: Full list of winners". The Guardian. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  33. ^ Sughnen Yongo-Okochi. "Here Are The Nominees For The 2022 AFRIMA Awards". Okay Africa. Archived 22 September 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 December 2025.