Meet SARZ; Africa’s Hit Making Producer, Sound Engineer & Dj
Written by Smooth FM on August 19, 2019
Osabuohien Osaretin was born in Benin City. He attended All Saints Primary School and had his high school education at Goodwill Secondary School.
He describes his entry into the music scene as a mistake; attributing his love for music and his ability to remember a beat in detail after hearing it piqued his interest in music production.
Sarz’s interest in music began during his childhood with the influence of legendary American producer Timbaland. He sold his first beat at just fifteen years old and was catapulted into the mainstream music scene after his production for Lord of Ajasa’s “See Drama”. Producing “Kako bi Chicken” for Reminisce saw a turning point in his career when the song became one of Africa’s biggest street songs in 2011.
The following year, record label giants, EME, chose Beats By Sarz as the producer of their compilation album “Empire State Of Mind”, where he made these popular hits: “Get Down Tonight”, “Ko Mo Le”, “Dance For Me” and “My Baby”.
In 2010, Sarz produced the hit single “Jor Oh” along with its remix for artist, Jahbless, which featured Durella, RuggedMan, Reminisce, Ice Prince and eLDee. The song won “Best Street Hop” award and was nominated for “Best Collaboration” at The Headies. In 2011, he went on to produce 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”. “Kako Bi Chicken” was nominated for “Best Street Hop” at The Headies, 2012. Later that year, he solely produced eLDee’s “Undeniable” album (except for the track “We Made It”).
Sarz was nominated for Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2012 “Producer Of The Year” award alongside Don Jazzy. Although Don Jazzy won the award, Don Jazzy declined the award and insisted it go to Sarz. Sarz would later win the “Best New Producer” award at the 2012 Dynamix Awards. He went on to release his first single “Beat Of Life (Samba)” featuring Nigerian Artiste, Wizkid off his album.
In 2013, he produced 2 songs off Wizkid’s ‘Ayo’ Album, “Jaiye Jaiye” featuring Femi Kuti as well as the track, “Kilofe“. He was mentioned as one of the five new music producers giving Don Jazzy a run for his money by the Premium Times Nigeria. Sarz was reported to have signed an endorsement deal with Nike later that Year. He became the executive producer for the official Hennessy Artistry 2014 theme song titled “Dance Go (Eau de Vie)” which featured Wizkid and 2Face Idibia.
Sarz’s unique and innovative way of beat making has allowed him to work with some of the most accomplished musicians in the world including Drake, Banky W, Chris Brown, and Beenie Man.
Declining to be boxed into genre-specific beats, his distinctive methodology of producing has allowed him to break new talents.
