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.
“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.
“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.
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.
“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.
“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.
“Passion fades, discipline won’t. Build it early to keep going when excitement dies.”
He added that consistency is often the only difference between talented individuals and those who continue to get opportunities despite having less skill.
Sarz also delivered a blunt reminder about personal responsibility.
“Nobody owes you anything. Cry if you must, but get back up.”
He repeatedly emphasised the importance of protecting both mental and physical health, noting that burnout has ended more careers than failure itself.
Growth, Timing, and Reality Checks
Reflecting on personal growth, Sarz acknowledged that periods of stagnation are inevitable.
“When everything feels off, it usually means you’ve outgrown your spot.”
He identified ego, comfort, and the illusion of having “arrived” as bigger threats than competition from other producers.
Sarz also encouraged creatives to seek mentorship, stating that the right mentor can compress years of learning into months. He acknowledged the role of timing, noting that even when everything is done right, waiting is sometimes unavoidable.
His final piece of advice was simple but firm: don’t rush the process, and don’t cut corners.
Career Highlights and Recent Achievements
These lessons come from nearly two decades of real highs and lows in the music industry. Sarz released his debut album, Protect Sarz At All Costs, on September 26, 2025, via his 1789 label.
The project features an impressive lineup including Wizkid, Asake, Gunna, Skillibeng, Lojay, Fireboy DML, Odumodublvck, Shallipopi, Joeboy, Victony, Teni, Libianca, and others. The track “Getting Paid” features Wizkid, Asake, Gunna, and Skillibeng.
The album performed strongly across streaming platforms, surpassing 100 million Spotify streams within weeks of release, becoming Sarz’s second project to achieve the milestone after his LV N ATTN EP with Lojay.
Pre-release singles such as “Happiness” featuring Asake and Gunna helped build momentum. The song later landed at No. 24 on Billboard’s 2024 Year-End U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart.
Several tracks topped Nigerian charts throughout 2025. On the awards front, 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.
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