Sarz

Sarz
Background information
Birth nameOsabuohien Osaretin
Born (1989-03-17) 17 March 1989 (age 35)
Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)Record producer, musician
Instruments
Years active2007–present
Labels1789 Entertainment

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 all his music productions.[2]

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.[3][4] He was formerly signed to Trybe Records, but left the outfit after his contract expired in November 2013.[5]

Musical career

In 2010, Sarz produced the hit single "Jor 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.[6] 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".[7] "Kako Bi Chicken" was nominated for "Best Street Hop" at The Headies, 2012.[8][9] Later that year, he solely produced eLDee's Undeniable album (except "We Made It").[10]

Sarz was nominated for the Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2012 "Producer of the Year" award alongside Don Jazzy. Although Don Jazzy won the award, he ended up giving the award to Sarz.[11] Sarz won "Best New Producer" at the 2012 Dynamix Awards.[12] He went on to release his first single “Beat Of Life (Samba)” featuring Nigerian Artiste, Wizkid from his upcoming album.[13]

In 2013, he produced two songs on Wizkid's Ayo album, "Jaiye Jaiye" featuring Femi Kuti and "Kilofe".[14] He was mentioned as one of the five new music producers giving Don Jazzy a run for his money by the Premium Times Nigeria.[15] Sarz was reported to have signed an endorsement deal with Nike later that Year.[16] Sarz was the executive producer for the official Hennessy Artistry 2014 theme song "Dance Go (Eau de Vie)", which featured Wizkid and 2Face Idibia.[17]

In April 2020, Sarz and 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.[18]

In 2021 Sarz released "Monalisa" with Lojay. "Monalisa" was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in 2023.[19]

Awards and nominations

Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
2012 Dynamix Awards Music Producer of the Year Himself Won [20]
2013 City People Awards Music Producer of the Year Himself Won [21]
Nigerian Entertainment Awards Music Producer of the Year Himself Nominated [22]
Song Of The Year "Beat Of Life (Samba)"
(featuring Wizkid) 		Nominated [22]
South South Music Awards Producer of the Year Himself Nominated [23]
2018 The Headies Producer of the Year Himself Nominated [24]
2019 SoundCity MVP Awards African Producer of the Year Himself Nominated [25]
AFRIMA Music Producer of the Year Himself Nominated [26]
Songwriter of the Year "Trobül" (Sarz & Wurld) Nominated [27]
Best RnB Duo "Trobül" (Sarz & Wurld) Nominated [28]
2021 Afro X Digitals Awards Music Producer of the Year Himself Won [29]
AFRIMA Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Contemporary "Monalisa" (Sarz x Lojay) Nominated [30]
2022 The Headies Producer of the Year Himself Won [31]
AFRIMA African Fans Favourite Monalisa remix (Sarz x Lojay feat. Chris Brown) Nominated [32]

Discography

Sarz's Album
Year Title Tracks Contributors / Features Ref
2019 SINYM (Sarz Is Not Your Mate) Good Morning Riddim Femi Leye, Leabdro "Dro" Hidalgo, Mizzle, TMX0. [33]
Spiritual Riddim Femi Leye, Leabdro "Dro" Hidalgo.
Celetronic Riddim Leabdro "Dro" Hidalgo, Lil Kesh, Mizzle.
Inbox Riddim Leabdro "Dro" Hidalgo, Lil Kesh, Wizkid.
Hello Africa Riddim Dr. Alban, Flash, Leabdro "Dro" Hidalgo, TMX0.
Legwork Riddim Leabdro "Dro" Hidalgo, Mizzle.
Sarz's Collaborations
Year Artiste Body of Work Tracks
2019 Sarz X WurlD I LOVE GIRLS WITH TROBUL Prisona
Trobul
Sweat
Focus
Mad
Nobody Wins Interlude
Ego
Sade
2021 Lojay X Sarz LV N ATTN Tonongo
LV N ATTN feat. Wizkid
Park O X3
Panty!
Monalisa
2021 Sarz X Obongjayar Sweetness Sweetness
Gone Girl
If You Say
Nobody
Sarz's Executive Production
Year Title Talents Tracks Ref
2020 MTLF EP (Memories That Last Forever EP) The Sarz Academy Gbewa - Dunnie, Niniola
Hold Me - Wizkid
Global - Sarz, Tempoe, Jahblend
Forever - Tiwa Savage
Wa Je - P.Priime, Dapo Tuburna, Horsh
Ma Lo Wa - Zlatan
2023 MTLF 2 (Memories That Last Forever 2) Album The Sarz Academy Breathe - Perfext
Resemble- Fxrtune
233- Charmaine'L A
Good To Me- Perfext, Gimba
Sad Love- Millymay_pod, Syntiat
Inside Life- Fxrtune
Only Man- Gimba
Steady- Charmaine'L A, Gimba
Rude- Syntiat
Ready- Fxrtune, Pjstar
DPWMH- Millymay_pod, Pjstar
Body Wicked- Millymay_pod
More- Perfext
Buga- Fxrtune
Jam One Kele- Millymay_pod, Gimba, Fxrtune [34]
Sarz's Production
Year Artiste Song Title
2007 Ruggedman Banging
Lord of Ajasa See drama
2008 Shank King Kong
2009 YQ I Like Girls
Dagrin Kondo
2010 Goldie Don't Touch
Iceberg Slim I Made It feat. Da Grin
Jahbless Jor oh! Remix feat. Iceprince, Reminisce, Durella, Ruggedman, Eldee
2011 Skales Keresimesi
Shank Salute
Sarz Badman feat. Wizkid
Shank Ghetto
Skales Mukulu
Banky W Lowkey
Michael Word Pop Sugar feat. Muna
Naeto C Super C Season
Reminisce Kako bi chicken
Minjin So beautiful
2012 Skales Ko Mo Le
Sarz Beat of Life (Samba) feat. Wizkid
Wizkid Dance For Me
Skales My baby
Eldee Higher feat. K9 and Sojay
Eldee Been There Done That
Eldee Today Today
Eldee Always
Eldee Run Down feat. Banky W
Eldee Category
Eldee Wash Wash
Eldee Never let you go feat. Wizkid
Eldee Zombie feat. K9 and Sojay
EME Get Down Tonight
2013 XP Calabar Remix feat. Reminisce, Skales, Olamide
Reminisce Ni’gboro
Sarz Ise Yen feat. Reminisce
Sarz Shoknorris feat. Burna Boy
L.O.S Wish you could stay
Omawumi Warn Yourself feat. Wizkid
DJ Neptune Emi Ni Oba (The King) feat. Phyno, Ruggedman, Pope, Reminisce, Uzi & Dagrin
Lynxxx Eziokwu feat Ikechukwu, Illbliss & Phyno
Wizkid Jaiye Jaiye feat. Femi Kuti
Lynxxx Mr Sexy
Reminisce Fantasi
Sarz Celebration feat. K9
Illrymz Get the Club Started feat. Reminisce
El’vee Oga Pata Pata feat. Don Jazzy
Addiction Show Your Talent
Wizkid, Iyanya, Praiz, Kcee MTN iPulse
2014 M.I Shekpe feat Reminisce
M.I Rich feat. Koker
M.I Wheel Barrow feat. Beenie Man & Emmy Ace
Reminisce Eleniyan feat. Wizkid
Wizkid Sound It
Niniola Ibadi
Tekno Anything
2face Idibia & Wizkid Dance Go (Eau de Vie)
Kach Get up
Reminisce Fantasi
Samad Low waist
K9 Care about us feat. Sound Sultan
Wizkid Kilofe
2015 Burna Boy Trance
Reminisce Skilashi
Wande Coal Ashimapeyin
Wande Coal Adura
Wande Coal Wanted Remix
2016 2Baba: Coded Tinz feat. Phyno
Reminisce Asalamalekun
Reminisce Asalamalekun [Remix] feat.Wale
Hennessey Artistry No be Water feat. Praiz, Burna Boy & Vector
Reminisce If E Nobi God feat. Mr. Eazi
2017 Wizkid Come Closer feat. Drake
Wizkid Sweet Love
Niniola Maradona
Niniola Sicker
Wizkid African Bad Girl feat. Chris Brown
Sarz: Get up ft. Flash
Niniola Saro
Niniola Magun
Mr Eazi Accra To Lagos
2018 Dj Enimoney Diet feat. Reminisce, Slimcase & Tiwa Savage
Wurld x Sarz Trobül
Skepta & Wizkid Bad Energy
Niniola x DJ Snake Maradona Riddim
Flash Balanciego
Niniola x Busiswa Magun Remix
Mr. Eazi Ogede
Niniola Bana
2019 SeyiShay Gimmie Love feat. Runtown
Reminisce Oja
Reminisce OGB4IG feat. Naira Marley & Olamide
Niniola Designer feat. Sarz
TBD X Wande Coal X Sarz Tofunmi
Wande Coal Vex
2020 Niniola Omo Rapala
The Sarz Academy Hold Me feat. Wizkid
Reminisce Ogaranya feat. Fireboy DML
Shirazee African Man In New York feat. Sarz
Wizkid Longtime feat. Skepta
2021 Shirazee X Sting English Man, African Man In New York
Nao Antidote feat. Adekunle Gold
2022 Lojay X Sarz Monalisa remix feat. Chris Brown
Crayon Ijo (Laba Laba)
Ijo (Laba Laba) remix feat. Camidoh, Costa Titch & Focalistic
2023 BNXN Gwagalada feat. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibes
Crayon Ngozi feat. Ayra Starr
Wurld x Sarz Location
Sarz x Crayon x Skrillex Yo Fam
Sarz feat. Asake, Gunna Happiness
Tems Not An Angel
2024 Ruger & BNXN Ilashe

References

  1. ^ Hip Hop World. "CLOSE UP ON THE STARS - SARZ ON THE BEAT". hiphopworldmagazine.com/. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  2. ^ Aribaba (24 October 2011). "Who Do This Beat... Top 10 Music Producers In Nigeria". jaguda.com. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  3. ^ TooExclusive (14 July 2014). "TOP 10 MUSIC PRODUCERS IN NIGERIA". tooexclusive.com. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  4. ^ "Afrobeats is the Nigerian sound taking over pop music". Quartz. 15 February 2019 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ Osagie, Alonge. "Sarz Leaves Trybe Records, As He Signs Deal With NIKE". The NetNg. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Interview With Sarz!". myacadaxtra.blogspot.co.uk/. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  8. ^ Jaguda (31 May 2011). "New Music: Kako Bi Chicken". jaguda.com. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  9. ^ Mgbolu, Charles. "Psquare, Bez lead Headies 2012 nominees list". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  10. ^ Jaguda (2 July 2012). "Eldee Releases New Album, Undeniable". Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  11. ^ Osagie, Alonge. "Don Jazzy Bequeaths His "Producer Of The Year" Award to Sarz!". thenet.ng/. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  12. ^ "2012 Dynamix Awards Winner List". siliowhizper.blogspot.co.uk/. 28 December 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  13. ^ Qazim. "Single Premiere: Sarz Beat Of Life Feat Wizkid Official Release". 360nobs.com.
  14. ^ Donnett, Jim (6 September 2014). "Wizkid – AYO (Joy) [Album Art + Tracklisting]". tooxclusive.com. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  15. ^ Abimboye, Micheal (23 August 2013). "Five producers giving Don Jazzy a run for his money". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  16. ^ Onos, O. "BN Exclusive: Global Sportswear Giant Nike Endorses Music Producer Sarz". Bella Naija. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  17. ^ LalaBoiy (2 October 2014). "2Face Idibia & Wizkid – Dance Go (Eau de Vie)". Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  18. ^ "COVID-19: Sarz, Shizzi entertain fans on Instagram". Vanguard News. 4 April 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  19. ^ "British certifications – Lojay & Sarz – Monalisa". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  20. ^ SilioWhizper (28 December 2012). "Dynamix Awards Winner List". siliowhizper.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ a b "Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2013 – View Full Nominees List". NotJustOk. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  23. ^ LockDown Naija. "SOUTH SOUTH MUSIC AWARDS 2013 NOMINEES LISTS". LockDownNaija.com. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  24. ^ "Headies 2018: Full list of nominees". 13 April 2018.
  25. ^ Ohunyon. "Here is the complete winners list at the SoundCity MVP Awards". Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  26. ^ "Tiwa, Burna Boy, Wizkid, 2Baba, two others shine at 6th AFRIMA awards [FULL LIST]".
  27. ^ "AFRIMAs 2019: All the nominees".
  28. ^ "Here is the final list of nominees for AFRIMA 2019".
  29. ^ "Afrodigital Award winners". AfroxDigital.com.
  30. ^ "All Africa Music Awards 2021: All The Nominees". www.musicinafrica.net. Music In Africa. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  31. ^ "2022 Headies: Full list of winners". Guardian Life. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  32. ^ "Here Are The Nominees For The 2022 AFRIMA Awards". www,okayafrica.com. Okay Africa.
  33. ^ "Sarz Still Not Your Mate". Guardian Life. Guardian. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  34. ^ Ezema, Patrick (24 July 2023). "REVIEW: "MEMORIES THAT LAST FOREVER 2" IS A SHOWCASE OF BRIMMING TALENT". culturecustodian.com. The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 24 July 2023.