Sarz Opens Up About Not Being Paid by Major Artists

Renowned Nigerian producer Sarz has revealed that several high-profile artists failed to pay him for his work early in his career.

Speaking on the Afropolitan Podcast on February 25, the producer—born Osaretin Osabuohien—shared that it was common for artists to record songs with him, release them, and withhold payment.

“Many popular artists took advantage of me,” he said, explaining that some would complete tracks in his studio but never settle their fees.

He recounted one particular situation involving a well-known artist for whom he produced two songs. According to Sarz, the artist stated he would only pay for one track. In response, Sarz held back the session files for the second song, but the artist reportedly dismissed this, saying he would release the demo version instead. Not wanting an unfinished version of his production made public, Sarz eventually handed over the files. The song was released, yet he says he was still not paid.

That experience marked a turning point. Sarz decided he would no longer work with artists who could not meet his rates, even though he admits the stance earned him a reputation for being difficult. He also described a recurring pattern at the time: artists would take his beats without paying and later recreate the same songs with other producers.

Reflecting on that period, Sarz suggested that his relatively low profile then made it harder for him to demand proper compensation. He said things began to change after producing Condo by GreenHouse, which boosted his credibility and shifted how he was viewed within the industry.

His remarks add to ongoing discussions about fair pay and proper credit for producers in the Nigerian music scene. In 2019, producer Northboi publicly accused Wizkid of not compensating him for producing the song Joro, also alleging that efforts were made to silence him—claims that were never formally addressed.

While Sarz did not disclose the names of the artists involved or specify when the incidents occurred, his comments have sparked renewed conversation about producer compensation. The podcast episode also touched on his evolution from behind-the-scenes producer to recording artist, though his revelations about unpaid work have drawn the most attention.