Renowned Nigerian producer Sarz has reached a significant career milestone, marking 19 years in music production. To celebrate the achievement, the hitmaker took to X (formerly Twitter) via his handle, @beatsbysarz, where he shared an insightful thread highlighting 19 practical lessons gained from almost two decades in the industry.
The reflections provide a candid glimpse into Sarz’s evolution and impact on Afrobeats, touching on key themes such as people, craft, mindset, discipline, and longevity. The thread began with a striking portrait of Sarz in a suit—poised and reflective—perfectly setting the tone for the introspective insights that followed.
Lessons on People and the Business Side.
Speaking on relationships and industry dynamics, Sarz emphasized the need for discernment, advising producers and creatives to distinguish between sincere support and opportunistic intentions.
- “You’ll meet real friends and people pretending for gain; know the difference to save pain and money.”
He pointed out that many artists tend to make grand promises when seeking beats, only to vanish once their needs are met.
2. “Most artists sell dreams when they need beats, then vanish.”
Discussing the business side of Nigeria’s music industry, Sarz noted that Western royalty systems don’t always translate smoothly. He explained that residual income is often complex, making savvy business decisions crucial for success.
He also emphasized the importance of reputation, stating that a good name can carry you far, and highlighted that strong people skills are just as vital as musical talent.
3. “Navigating people, he said, often opens doors that music alone cannot.”
Craft, Value, and Creative Identity
Regarding the craft, Sarz encouraged producers to hone their skills to the point of becoming indispensable.
4. “Be valuable so you can’t be ignored.”
He noted that having a deep understanding of one’s unique sound and being the only one who can execute it effectively helps foster lasting creative partnerships. Sarz also urged creatives to prioritize originality, reminding them that every successful formula began as something new and different.
5. “Embrace uniqueness. Every template started as someone different.”
He highlighted that a signature sound is a key element of branding, often developed by consistently using a particular drum kit or plugin until the sound becomes instantly recognizable. Sarz explained that once a producer’s sound is unmistakable, artists will naturally seek them out. However, he warned that chasing work can undermine both leverage and respect. He also advised creatives to meticulously document their work, noting that failing to do so can lead to others benefiting unfairly.
Renowned Nigerian music producer Sarz has marked a major milestone in his career, celebrating 19 years in music production. To commemorate the anniversary, the hitmaker took to X (formerly Twitter) via his handle @beatsbysarz, where he shared a thoughtful thread outlining 19 practical lessons drawn from nearly two decades in the industry.
The reflections offer a rare, honest look into Sarz’s journey shaping Afrobeats, covering themes such as people, craft, mindset, discipline, and survival. The thread opened with a portrait of Sarz in a suit, calm and composed, setting the tone for the introspective message that followed.
Lessons on People and the Business Side
On relationships and industry dynamics, Sarz stressed the importance of discernment. He warned producers and creatives to clearly separate genuine support from opportunism.
6. “You’ll meet real friends and people pretending for gain; know the difference to save pain and money.”
He noted that many artists often make big promises when they need beats, only to disappear afterward.
7. “Most artists sell dreams when they need beats, then vanish.”
Addressing the business structure within Nigeria’s music industry, Sarz pointed out that Western royalty systems do not always apply seamlessly. According to him, residual income is rarely straightforward, making smart business decisions essential.
He emphasised that reputation matters, adding that a solid name can take you far, while strong people skills are just as important as musical talent.
8. Navigating people, he said, often opens doors that music alone cannot.
Craft, Value, and Creative Identity
When it comes to the craft itself, Sarz urged producers to focus on becoming indispensable.
9. “Be valuable so you can’t be ignored.”
He explained that deeply understanding one’s sound and being the only person who can execute it properly helps build long-term creative relationships.
Sarz encouraged creatives to embrace originality, reminding them that every successful formula started as something different.
10. “Embrace uniqueness. Every template started as someone different.”
He noted that a signature sound forms a major part of branding, sometimes achieved by consistently using a specific drum kit or plugin until the sound becomes instantly recognisable.
According to Sarz, once a producer’s sound becomes undeniable, artists will naturally come calling. However, he warned that begging for work damages leverage and respect. He also cautioned creatives to properly document their work, as failure to do so often allows others to benefit unfairly.
Mindset, Discipline, and Longevity.
On mindset, Sarz highlighted discipline as a key factor in long-term success.
11. “Passion fades, discipline won’t. Build it early to keep going when excitement dies.”
He added that consistency often separates naturally talented individuals from those who keep landing opportunities despite having less skill. Sarz also gave a candid reminder about the importance of taking personal responsibility.
12. “Nobody owes you anything. Cry if you must, but get back up.”
He repeatedly stressed the need to safeguard both mental and physical health, pointing out that burnout has derailed more careers than failure ever has.
Growth, Timing, and Reality Checks
Looking back on his personal growth, Sarz admitted that phases of stagnation are unavoidable.
13. “When everything feels off, it usually means you’ve outgrown your spot.”
He pointed out that ego, complacency, and the illusion of “having arrived” pose greater risks than competition from other producers.
Sarz also urged creatives to find mentors, explaining that the right guidance can condense years of learning into just months. He acknowledged the role of timing, noting that even when everything is done correctly, patience is often necessary.
His final advice was straightforward but firm: don’t rush the process, and never cut corners.
Career Highlights and Recent Achievements.
These insights come from nearly 20 years of firsthand experience navigating the highs and lows of the music industry. Sarz released his debut album, Protect Sarz At All Costs, on September 26, 2025, under his 1789 label.
The project boasts an impressive roster of collaborators, including Wizkid, Asake, Gunna, Skillibeng, Lojay, Fireboy DML, Odumodublvck, Shallipopi, Joeboy, Victony, Teni, Libianca, and more. The track “Getting Paid” features Wizkid, Asake, Gunna, and Skillibeng.
The album saw remarkable streaming success, surpassing 100 million Spotify streams within weeks of its release, marking Sarz’s second project to hit this milestone after his LV N ATTN EP with Lojay. Pre-release singles like “Happiness” featuring Asake and Gunna helped build momentum, with the song eventually reaching No. 24 on Billboard’s 2024 Year-End U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. Several tracks from the album also topped Nigerian charts throughout 2025.
On the awards circuit, Sarz earned a Producer of the Year nomination at The Headies 17th edition for “Happiness,” while “Billions,” featuring Lojay, won Best Vocal Performance (Male) for Lojay and received a nomination for Best Recording of the Year.
