Afrobeats powerhouse producer Sarz, born Osabuohien Osaretin, has officially stepped into the spotlight with the release of his highly anticipated debut album Protect Sarz At All Costs. The project dropped on September 25, 2025, under Sony Music Africa and is already stirring waves across the music scene.
The 15-track album is stacked with heavyweight collaborations, featuring global and local stars including Wizkid, Fireboy DML, Asake, Gunna, Lojay, Joeboy, and Libianca. Among the standout records is the third track, Getting Paid, which unites Asake, Wizkid, and Jamaican dancehall star Skillibeng in a bold fusion of Afrobeats and dancehall. The song shot up to No. 21 on Nigeria’s Apple Music Top Songs chart within hours of release, with fans hailing Wizkid’s verse as one of his sharpest in recent times.
The album’s rollout has not been without controversy. Popular influencer Daniel Regha dismissed Getting Paid with a 2.5/10 rating, arguing that Wizkid’s artistry has “not evolved” and that Skillibeng was “not the right fit” for the collaboration. His critique sparked a firestorm on social media. One user, @web3_padi, clapped back with a savage counter, mocking Regha’s analysis style and rating him “-4.5/10.” Another fan, Eting_energy, slammed the critique as “terrible,” reminding critics that Wizkid “literally defined an entire era of Afrobeats” and continues to headline world tours while breaking global records.
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Despite the chatter, Sarz’s debut is being celebrated as a cultural moment. For more than a decade, he has crafted some of Afrobeats’ most defining hits, producing anthems that have shaped the sound of a generation. With Protect Sarz At All Costs, he transitions from hitmaker behind the boards to a full-fledged artist commanding his own space on the global stage.
The album is not just a collection of songs but a statement of intent, positioning Sarz as more than a producer, he is now an artist in his own right, ready to expand Afrobeats beyond borders and into new sonic territories.
