Sarz, Ozedikus, DJ Kaywise Open Up on Exploitation by Musicians

Published: February 28, 2026
Category: Nigerian Entertainment News

A fresh wave of revelations has shaken Nigeria’s music industry as top producers and DJs — including Sarz, Ozedikus, and DJ Kaywise — openly shared their experiences of being exploited by musicians over the years. (National Daily Newspaper)

The discussion ignited after Sarz detailed how some popular artists in the Nigerian music scene allegedly used his productions without paying agreed fees, kicking off what many industry observers say is a long-overdue conversation about fair treatment of behind-the-scenes creatives. (National Daily Newspaper)

Sarz Speaks on Being Shortchanged

During a recent appearance on a popular podcast, Sarz revealed that in his early career, several well-known artistes took advantage of his services by using songs he produced without honoring payment agreements. He shared a specific case where he made two songs for a big artist but was only paid for one. Sarz said this experience led him to become more assertive about his worth. (Pulse Nigeria)

Ozedikus Shares His Story

Reacting to the attention Sarz’s comments received online, producer Ozedikus recounted his own difficult experience with an unnamed musician. He claimed to have produced more than 30 songs in two months for the artist but never received any payment or even proper production credit when one of the songs was released. (National Daily Newspaper)

DJ Kaywise Names Broken Promises

Adding to the conversation, DJ Kaywise reflected on his early days in Alaba, where he made over 1,000 mixtapes for rapper Eldee The Don and his affiliates — a collaboration that Kaywise says included a promise of a recording deal that never materialized. He expressed that the experience influenced his choice to remain independent, a path he now appreciates. (National Daily Newspaper)

Industry Reaction

The revelations have reignited debates across Nigerian social media and music circles about:

• Fair compensation for producers and DJs
• Recognition and credit for creative contributions
• Contract transparency and industry standards

Many fans and industry professionals have weighed in, agreeing that the music ecosystem needs better structures to protect creatives behind the hits.