We can all agree that we have been waiting for Protect Sarz At All Costs for a long time, I mean sarz fed us with hit singles in the past year and even produced some of the songs we had on replay while waiting for this album, but we were still waiting, until the 1st of September, our hope and expectancy went triple high and that because it was the beginning of protect sarz at all cost album roll out.
The first video which was hilarious, expressed how we the fans felt waiting for the album, and we got more creative roll out videos, with one featuring Layi Wasabi who demands a sarz soundtrack in his in action movie scene, all the roll out videos urging sarz just to release the album, and finally we got the release date and cover and the album is in our hands now
The opening track, Grateful, features WurlD and the Ndlovu Youth Choir. WurlD’s vocals open the album, and his lyrics explore his gratitude for being here, his appreciation for life, and his determination to stay strong. The Ndlovu Youth Choir enters towards the end of the song, giving it that special touch as it transitions into the next song, Happiness, an earlier released hit single that brought Asake and Gunna together. As the title suggests, Happiness is a feel-good song. This track’s selling point is its smooth energy between Sarz’s production, Asake’s, and Gunna’s lyrics. The new version on the album adds a new touch, making it a great track.
Getting Paid, featuring Wizkid, Skillibeng, and Asake, is a hard-hitting track that’s bragadocious. Sarz’s production on the beat hits hard, Wizkid’s delivery is on point, Asake contributes a fearless chorus, and Skillibeng brings the Jamaican energy. It stands out as one of the most anticipated songs on the album. The duo ODUMODUBLVCK and Shallipopi, paired with Theodora and Zeina, created a dance tune on Mademoiselle, blending French and broken English to give us good vibes.
The album’s musical landscape received a thrilling cross-continental energy as St. Kitts and Nevis’ breakout star, Byron Messia, teamed up with Nigeria’s Afro-pop sensation, Fireboy DML, for the explosive, sexy track BMF. The next track, featuring Joeboy, showcases Joeboy in his lover boy persona, with his lyrics confessing how his baby’s body eases his stress and makes him want to do things. Sarz’s production on Body went well with Joeboy’s vocals; we need more songs from them.
Following the love theme on Body, In a Mustang, featuring Qing Madi creates a romantic atmosphere as she sings “I will never let you go / baby I wanna show you off”. It is a feel-good track, danceable and soft to the ears. WurlD’s second appearance on the album comes in the track Nice n’ Slow. It’s that mid-tempo Afrobeats love tune, mixed with log drums that would make your girl whine for you, and WurlD’s lyrics flow with the production
On the 9th track, we hear Lojay, another frequent collaborator of Sarz. On Loved Me Then is the song where Lojay sings and reflects on how he wished this girl had loved him then. The amusing aspect of this song is that it is a club-danceable tune yet still packed with emotion. African Barbie, featuring Teni and Libianca, showcases the worth of both artists on this track. Even as they want love, they can’t just give it to anybody.
The fast-paced song UP featuring Victony is one of those tracks that just gets you on your feet. Sarz’s production will actually get you on your feet, and Victony’s reflective lyrics about his hustling days are the track that will rock the club.
Billions, featuring Lojay, closes the album with a very addictive production and chorus that won’t leave your mouth. It’s the track that you dance to, cruise to, and just generally have a good time.
And so, as the final, addictive echoes of Billions fade out, we are left not just with a collection of songs, but with a definitive statement. This album is more than a debut; it is a coronation. Sarz has long been the architect, the partner in countless hits, the very pioneer who helped shape the modern Afrobeats sound. For years, he has been the bedrock, providing the sonic foundation upon which chart-toppers were built.
We’ve witnessed his journey from crafting the iconic blueprints of the genre to staying solid in the game, consistently evolving while never losing his signature touch. This album is the culmination of that endurance and growth. Through a masterfully executed rollout that hilariously mirrored our own impatience, he built almost palpable anticipation, transforming the release of this project into a cultural event. At this moment, the mission was to Protect Sarz at All Costs.
And now, with the album in our hands, he has delivered nothing short of a masterpiece. From the spiritual awakening of Greatful to the club-ready frenzy of Up, Sarz proves his genius lies in his versatility and his Midas touch. He is a producer who doesn’t just make beats; he creates sonic landscapes. He seamlessly bridges continents, connecting the dots between the dancehalls of Jamaica with Skillibeng, the global trap of Gunna, the vibrant energy of Asake, and the soulful melodies of Fireboy DML and Wurld. He crafts the perfect backdrop for Joeboy’s lover-boy confessions, Qing Madi’s affectionate promises, and Victony’s hustler’s anthem, proving his production is as emotionally intelligent as it is rhythmically compelling.
This album is a testament to his curation and confidence, a fearlessness in pairing the raw energy of ODUMODUBLVCK and Shallipopi with the smooth harmonies of Theodora and Zeina, and in closing it all with a track so effortlessly cool that it becomes an instant classic.
So let us agree: the wait was not in vain. Sarz has taken his time, fed us along the way, and has now presented a complete, cohesive, and groundbreaking body of work. He has transitioned from the esteemed producer to the celebrated maestro of his own symphony. This album isn’t just something we listen to; it’s an experience we feel, a journey we are grateful to be on. Sarz has not just released an album; he has cemented his legacy. The game is forever grateful.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Standout track(s): Getting Paid, BMF, Nice n’ Slow, Up, Billions
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