Protect Sarz At All Costs

At the beginning of 2019, Sarz released Sinym (Sarz Is Not Your Mate), a hypnotic six-track collection of instrumental grooves inspired by electronic and dance music that predated—and set the tone for—the overt infusion of dance variants like amapiano and 3-step into Afrobeats. Further experiments like the WurlD collab, I LOVE GIRLS WITH TROBUL, and a starmaking turn with Lojay on LV N ATTN highlighted the producer’s process and innate ability to identify sounds that should have a place in Afrobeats’ plexus. On his long-awaited debut album, Protect Sarz at All Costs, he reaffirms his position as one of Africa’s most innovative producers, presenting a dynamic vision of Afrobeats’ future. “The way I see it, there’s a part of you in everyone else,” Sarz tells Apple Music. “So Protect Sarz at All Costs means protect yourself at all costs because there’s a bit of Sarz in everyone else. If you’re someone that’s disciplined, there’s a bit of Sarz in you. If you’re someone that’s creative, there’s a bit of Sarz in you. If you’re someone that gets anxious sometimes, there’s a bit of Sarz in you. Music from Africa is one of the reasons why it’s cool to be African now, globally. So why don’t we protect one of the people that made this happen?” Protect Sarz at All Costs is a blockbuster epic through the motifs, lingo and themes that define Afrobeats, with contributions from the breadth of the Black diaspora. Lagos singer WurlD’s lithe voice opens up the album with a dedication to God for life and blessings alongside the Ndlovu Youth Choir on “Grateful”. Kittitian singer Byron Messia joins Fireboy DML on “BMF”, while the producer flexes his curatorial chops on “Mademoiselle”, an orchestral posse cut that pairs Nigerian rappers, ODUMODUBLVCK and Shallipopi, with French Congolese star Theodora and Canadian singer Zeina.All of which is not to mention appearances from Wizkid, Asake, Skillibeng and Lojay. “If there’s something I know I possess as a skill, it’s just knowing how to collaborate with anyone,” Sarz says. “I can figure out how to make music with anyone. And most of the people on this album never sounded like this before, so I think that this album opens a new perspective to their artistry.” As playmaker, Sarz glides between moods and soundscapes with a chameleon-like assuredness and to appreciate that ability is to understand our shared duty to Protect Sarz at All Costs.