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Sarz, the producer behind the Afrobeats hit “Monalisa” with Lojay (and eventually Chris Brown) has exclusively shared the track list for his forthcoming album Protect Sarz at All Costs – and it is packed.
The album, due for release on Sep. 26, will reunite Sarz with Asake and Wizkid alongside a new collaborator in dancehall star Skillibeng on a song called “Getting Paid.” A collective of relative newcomers pack out a track called “Mademoiselle”; that one has Rolling Stone Future 25 member Odumodublvck, “Laho” breakout Shallipopi, Francophone singer Theodora (who we shouted out in this July’s edition of our monthly Made in Africa column) and Lebanese-American-Canadian singer Zenia, with whom Sarz has worked with before on tracks like “Times Two” and “Hesitiate.” Rounding out the album’s vocalists are Wurld, Ndlovu Choir, Fireboy DML, Joeboy, Teni, Libianca, and Victony.See the full track list below.
Protect Sarz at All Costs will also boast the previously released singles “Happiness” featuring Asake and Gunna (Number 14 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 40 Best Afropop Songs of 2024) and “Billions” with Lojay from 2024 as well.
“When I started working on this album, I didn’t just want features for the sake of names,” Sarz tells Rolling Stone. “I wanted voices that would elevate the vision. Every artist on Protect Sarz at All Costs brings something deeply personal and distinct to the table. It had to feel right sonically and spiritually. Some collaborations came from years of chemistry, others were brand new sparks. What excites me most is seeing fans discover who’s on each track and hearing how seamlessly these worlds collide. It’s not just a lineup. It’s a global conversation through music.”
Born Osabuohien Osaretin, Sarz has left an indelible mark on Afrobeats, producing modern classics like Niniola’s “Maradona,” Mr Eazi’s “Accra to Lagos” and “Trobul” with WurlD. He was at the forefront of the sound’s expansion as a composer on Beyoncé’s “Find Your Way Back” and Drake’s “One Dance” with Wizkid and Kyla (along with producers Nineteen85 from Dvsn, Drake right-hand 40, and South African staple DJ Maphorisa).
In fact, Sarz’s work with Wizkid in particular spans over a decade, contributing to the StarBoy’s “Jaiye Jaiye” with Femi Kuti in 2014, “Come Closer” with Drake in 2017, and “Longtime” from 2020. He’s also paid it forward by mentoring rising producers and other music professionals through his Sarz Academy initiative. Kel-P, a star Afrobeats producer in his own right, credits Sarz as a mentor.
Protect Sarz At All Costs Track List
Grateful ft. Wurld, Ndlovu Choir
Happiness ft. Asake, Gunna
Getting Paid ft. Asake, Skillibeng, Wizkid
Mademoiselle ft. Odumodublvck, Shallipopi, Theodora, Zeina
BMF ft. Fireboy DML, Byron Messia
Body ft. Joeboy
In A Mustang ft. Qing Madi
Nice n Slow ft. Wurld
Loved Me Then ft. Lojay
African Barbie ft. Teni, Libianca
Up ft. Victony
Billions ft. Lojay
