Nigerian Producer Sarz Exposes Unpaid Work by Major Artists in Music Industry
Renowned Nigerian music producer Sarz has publicly addressed a troubling pattern of exploitation he faced during the early stages of his career. In a candid interview on the Afropolitan Podcast, the producer, whose real name is Osaretin Osabuohien, revealed that several prominent artists took advantage of his talent by using his productions without providing proper payment.
Specific Incident of Non-Payment
Sarz described one particularly egregious case involving a "big artist" for whom he produced two songs. The artist informed Sarz that he would only pay for one of the tracks. When Sarz attempted to leverage the situation by withholding the session files for the second song, the artist dismissed his concerns, stating he would simply mix the demo version and release it anyway. Ultimately, Sarz handed over the files to prevent a substandard version of his work from circulating, but the artist still refused to compensate him.
Career Consequences and Industry Shift
"That day I said anyone who does not have what I'm charging, I'm not working with them," Sarz declared. He acknowledged that this firm stance had consequences, noting, "I started becoming a notorious person." The producer also highlighted a broader issue from that period, where artists would take his productions, decline to pay, and later re-record the same songs with other producers.
Sarz attributed part of the problem to his own standing at the time, suggesting he was not yet considered established enough to push back effectively. However, his career trajectory changed significantly after producing the hit record Condo by GreenHouse, which altered industry perceptions and increased demand for his work.
Broader Industry Context
These revelations come amid ongoing discussions about producer credit and compensation within the Nigerian music industry. In 2019, producer Northboi publicly accused superstar Wizkid of failing to pay him for producing the song 'Joro', alleging that pressure was applied to silence him—a claim that was never formally addressed.
While Sarz did not specify when the incidents he described occurred or identify the artists involved, his comments have sparked significant conversation. The podcast appearance covered various topics, including his transition from producer to recording artist, but the remarks on non-payment have garnered the most attention.
The issue underscores persistent challenges in the entertainment sector regarding fair compensation for creative work, particularly for emerging talents navigating complex industry dynamics.
