Definition of Protect Sarz At All Costs, His Debut Album, and Upcoming Collaboration With Rema [Interview]

Not an EP this time, an album, a debut album! That was the excitement when Nigerian producer and DJ, Sarz, announced on September 18 that his debut album was about to be rolled out. 

Born and raised in the vibrant city of Lagos, Nigeria, Sarz has been a household name and a force to reckon with in the global music scene. From singles to EPs, he has worked with elite musicians for years on end. 

Photo by A Day Living

After almost two decades in the music industry, the veteran producer releases his debut album, Protect Sarz At All Costs. Renowned for his skilful creativity with collaborations, he embraces multiculturalism on the project. Bringing in artistes from various continents, the 12-track body of work was released on the 25th of September. 

“This album represents the most collaborative and intentional work I’ve ever done.” Sarz shares. “Protect Sarz At All Costs is more than just me, it’s about exploring sounds, culture and feelings that connect us all. I wanted to create something timeless with artists who continue to inspire me, and I hope it will resonate and do the same for others.” 

Being his first full-length project, Protect Sarz At All Costs marks a cornerstone in Sarz’s remarkable career. New Wave, sharing in the excitement of this unprecedented project, sat down with Sarz to share his vision as an artiste and a producer. He tells us what the album stands for, and future projects to expect from him. 

As a top figure in the Nigerian music scene who doubles as a lowkey, behind-the-scenes guy; do you ever feel like you don’t get credited or acknowledged enough as a longtime producer? 

It’s hard to answer that question because I live in this body and that question seeks an out-of-body experience. If I could have an out-of-body experience, I would be able to put into perspective what, why, how my work has impacted them, and if I get enough celebration for that. It’s just really hard to measure that from my perspective. 

There have been remarkable EPs, especially the one with WurlD and another with Lojay. Not to mention trendy singles filled with juicy collaborations. What made you opt for an album this time?

I’ve always wanted a body of work, something to celebrate the genre I fall into and something to inspire people. 

How would you describe the sound of this project?

It’s creative, fun, daring, very inspiring…just music from my point of view.

Why that specific title for the album?

Protect Sarz At All Costs is really a figure of speech because there is a bit of Sarz in everyone. When I say there’s a bit of Sarz in everyone, I might think I can be very disciplined and if you connect with that view, that means I see myself in you. It means “protect your energy at all costs” because we are all we have. 

What are your plans for the future? Should we expect more albums, EPs? 

I have pretty much work in every aspect; from music production to DJing to The Sarz Academy. Yeah, I have much to give. 

Culturally diverse album. Most of the Nigerian artistes on the album are people whom you have worked with before. But for the first-time collaborations on the album, what influenced your decision to work with them, especially the international artistes? 

I like to work with people who want to work with me. I think about new artistes and I reach out. If they love it, fine. If they don’t, also fine. But I’m really glad for everyone that’s on the project and I’m glad it happened how it did. 

It is quite surprising that Niniola isn’t on this album. How come?

We have worked together, but I don’t think the stuff we have fits the album. Sorry to the fans. 

From I Love Girls With Trobul with WurlD in 2019, the biggest sensation was ‘Mad’. Two years later, ‘Monalisa’ off LV N ATTN with Lojay leapt with a Chris Brown feature on the remix. Is there a particular song on Protect Sarz At All Costs that you feel might follow the same path as those hits?

I have no idea, to be honest, because music is so unpredictable these days. I do have certain songs I love on the album. I love ‘Getting Paid’, I love all the songs with Lojay, I love the song with Qing Madi, I love the songs with WurlD. At this point, I think I’m just mentioning all the songs on the album. 

The album kicks off with WurlD and wraps up with Lojay. Is this outline a sort of reference to the earlier EPs with either musician? 

That was a coincidence. 

On ‘Up’ with Victony, it sounds like there’s another voice on the track aside from Victony’s. 

It’s probably just sound effects, it’s only Victony on that song. Sometimes, we can change up the style so the voice sounds very deep.

Any tour information yet?

When you see me on the road, you see me. For starters, I’m working with the Mainland Block Party on October 1st. 

Nowadays, producers are setting foot into singing, rapping, recording songs. Do you think you might ever switch up? 

I don’t think so. If I ever do that, then maybe I will be a recording artiste. I do not think I can sing a song where my voice is all over the performance. As of today, it’s not likely, but never say never. Sorry to disappoint. 

You and Rema share the same hometown (Benin) but haven’t worked together, should we expect a collab soon?

We have music together. It’s going to come out at the right time, sooner than you think. 

You said in an interview that your music career was unplanned. In your words, “music was a mistake” and you expected to be a software developer or professional basketball player. 

Yes. If I went to high school or college in America, I would have pursued that. Maybe I would make it, maybe I wouldn’t, but that would have been my Plan A. I didn’t see myself in the music industry. It was a friend of mine that introduced me to a music software. The first beat I made was sold for 3,000 naira in 2005 to some guys around my area. For me, it was just eye-opening. I thought “I could do this thing I love, to make money”. I stopped asking my parents for money, I started doing my thing. If they cooked something I didn’t like, I would buy myself some food. 

Considering how much you’ve thrived in music, if you had to pick a career afresh, would you go for music again? 

I probably will because I don’t see myself doing anything else. I’ve never had a job. Because I’ve had only music, it’s hard for me to think of other names. I call my career a mistake because it’s my own point of view, but I guess, you know, nothing is ever really a mistake. I don’t think there’s a mistake by God, it’s been ordained and it was meant to happen. 

For emerging producers who look up to you, what word of advice do you have for them? 

If you are coming into music as a way out, just get out. If not, keep going. One day, the world will celebrate you. It's not an easy road. Some days, you would cry; some days, you would wonder why you made this decision. But keep going, keep evolving, keep growing. One day, the world will celebrate you. 

Photo by Miza Lobel

For people curious about The Sarz Academy, how would you describe it? 

The Sarz Academy is a creative hub for talented people and the way of letting people becoming, creatives, producers, artistes alike, have a chance at making decent music. Basically, what I’m doing is creating the things that I needed during my time, but I did not have. Because there are certain things that I would have doubled down on, certain things I would have invested in, if I had the knowledge. Because of creative people like me, I created the Academy to help guide them. 

Do creatives apply to The Sarz Academy or do they have to be scouted?

They apply. If you get chosen, you go through a course of training, from music to the music business. 

As a private person, what would you say you like to do when you’re not producing or in the studio? Like what do you do outside of music?

I like to call my friend Abby (also a member of his team) to go to the cinema to see a movie together. Movies are a big part of our friendship. 

You like movies. Do you think you might decide to produce a movie one day? 

Yes, absolutely.