Nigerian Music Producers Allege Exploitation by Nigerian Artists
Prominent Nigerian music producers Sarz, Ozedikus and disc jockey DJ Kaywise have publicly shared accounts of what they describe as exploitation by musicians within the industry, reigniting debate over compensation and credit for creatives behind the scenes.
The conversation was triggered by comments from Sarz during a recent appearance on the Afropolitan Podcast, where the award-winning producer said several well-known artists had previously failed to pay him for his work. He recalled one instance in which an artist paid for only one of two songs they recorded together, a moment he said prompted him to insist on upfront fees.
Sarz’s remarks gained traction online, prompting other industry figures to share similar experiences. In a post on X, Ozedikus said he was reminded of his own ordeal in 2016 and 2017, when he claimed to have produced more than 30 songs for an unnamed artist over a short period without receiving payment. He also alleged that one track released from the sessions did not credit him as producer.
DJ Kaywise later joined the discussion, alleging that he faced a comparable situation earlier in his career. He said rapper Eldee The Don had promised to sign him to a record label in 2012 after he produced hundreds of mixtapes for Eldee and artists associated with him, but the deal never materialised. DJ Kaywise described the episode as a formative experience that influenced his decision to remain independent.
The DJ added that staying unsigned has since proven beneficial for his career. Eldee The Don has not publicly responded to the allegation.
The comments have renewed scrutiny of longstanding complaints by producers and DJs about unpaid work, lack of recognition and informal agreements in Nigeria’s music industry, particularly during the early stages of many creatives’ careers.
