The world’s number one Scotch Whisky brand partnered with Grammy award-winning producer Sarz to celebrate his musical journey in the Nigerian music scene. And when Johnnie Walker is in your system, and Sarz’s sound mix is setting the mood, you know you’re about to have a good time.
In honour of the collaboration and celebration of the Nigerian creative industry’s progress, we look at how Sarz is contributing to and inspiring new sounds coming out of Africa.
If you’re an afrobeats enthusiast, you’ve likely heard the producer tag “beat by Sarz”, “Sarz on the beat”, and more recently, “Really”. Born Osabuohien Osaretin, Sarz is a music producer and DJ who’s been killing it in the music industry for more than ten years.
Since he made his first hit, Jahbless’s Joor Oh remix in 2010, Sarz has been ahead of many others. Known for his unique approach to production, he’s carved out his niche, and it has placed him high on the list of seasoned producers from Nigeria. Sarz has produced for global artists like Beyoncé, Drake, Chris Brown and Skepta.
And out of a zeal to help budding producers and songwriters, he officially established the Sarz Academy (in partnership with YouTube) in 2015. Over 500 creatives have passed through the academy so far. Through it, he’s mentored popular names like D-Tunes, Jay Pizzle, Kel-P, Legendury Beatz, P.Priime, Dunni, Tempoe, who’ve gone on to be huge successes.
In 2019, Sarz made a very bold statement with his first solo body of work, Sarz Is Not Your Mate, an instrumentals-only project to remind his colleagues and the public that he has no match. The same year, he performed his first major DJ set at Gidifest. In 2020, Sarz set himself apart further when he put out his debut sound packs of numerous drum kits, Afrobeats loops, FX, textures, guitar rhythms, for producers to sample and loop on Splice.
His dedication and adventurous spirit has edged him forward to be the partner and focus of Johnnie Walker’s 2023 “Walkers Mix” event. Attended by popular musicians, media personalities such as Reminisce, Wurld, Vee (former BBNaija housemate).
The party became more interesting with games and fun activities like Jenga and painting, shots, cocktails and spin on Sarz’s exclusive beats.
In the spirit of camaraderie, we bask in the brilliance of remarkable talents that mold our world, like an enchanting symphony, resonating with every heartbeat. Raise your glasses high and toast to the brilliant partnership between Johnnie Walker and Sarz, the masterminds behind indelible memories, alongside the boundless creative community that ignites our collective inspiration!
