Inside The Sarz Academy: Nigeria's Future Hitmakers (Week 1)

Nigerian music producer Sarz who has a solidified history of producing some of the biggest hits to come out of Africa having produced tracks for the likes of Wizkid, Banky W, Naeto C, Skales, Reminisce and Wande Coal - recently opened a music academy in Lagos directed at young aspiring beat makers.

Since its launch in June 2015, The Sarz Academy (TSA) has opened its doors to 15 hopeful students; aiming to equip them with the necessary skills to hone in their talent and successfully build a career in music production.

One student, Ademola Ebhodaghe Adegbite shared his joy of attending the academy on social media, tweeting

"Before I came to The Sarz Academy, I wanted to drop music...but once I got in, everything changed.?" - (@kannonthemcee)

During the four week course, classes are run by Sarz along with a host of other industry leaders such as CEO of Nu'World Africa: Muyi Ola. The students have not only been learning the art of making hot beats and backing tracks but are also learning all crucial aspects of the music industry such as creating and developing their brands, marketing themselves, artist and producer relationship as well as business law, revenue stream and platform creation.

Nigeria's music industry has more than tripled its record sales in the last five years with over 550 albums being produced every year. With industry stakeholders projecting that the country's entertainment industry will hit one billion dollars by 2016, there is a bright future ahead for those that are successful in carving a career in it. The young initiative is indeed a favourable investment by Sarz in Nigeria's future.

Speaking about the academy, Sarz said "I believe music can be used for a variety of things. ?One of these is investing in Nigeria's tomorrow by mentoring and inspiring the younger generation about their dreams and Ambitions. Every student certified by the academy will engage the world with a new positive perception to their talent, work ethics, a mode of operation and will go on to become more than a sound producer to their respective society and Nigeria"

A tough industry to break into, TSA is easing the young hopefuls battle into the colossal world that is the music industry.