| The Playmaker | ||||
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| Studio album by Phyno | ||||
| Released | 1 November 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2015–2016 | |||
| Studio | Nigeria | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 84:00 | |||
| Language | ||||
| Label | Penthauze Music | |||
| Producer |
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| Phyno chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Playmaker | ||||
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The Playmaker is the second studio album by Nigerian rapper Phyno, released on 1 November 2016, under Penthauze Music. The album features guest appearances from M.I, Flavour, Onyeka Onwenu, Tidinz, Mr Eazi, Olamide, DeCarlo, 2Baba, Burna Boy, P-Square, and Zoro. Production was handled by Del B, Masterkraft, Major Bangz, Benjamz, Tunex, Chris Stringz, TSpize, and Kezyklef. The Playmaker features singles like "Connect," "Ezege," "Fada Fada," "E Sure For Me," and "Pino Pino," and was predominantly recorded in Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin. The Playmaker is a follow-up to No Guts No Glory (2014).
Singles
The album's lead single, "Connect," was released on 6 October 2015 and was produced by TSpize. The second single, "Ezege," was released on 26 January 2016 and was produced by Del B. The third single, "Fada Fada" features Olamide and was produced by Masterkraft. It was released on 5 May 2016, won Song of the Year, and was nominated for Best Pop Single at the 2016 edition of the Headies. The producer, Masterkraft, was nominated for Producer of the Year for "Fada Fada" at the ceremony. The fourth single, "E Sure For Me" was released on 7 July 2016 and was produced by Kezyklef. The fifth single, "Pino Pino" was released on 9 October 2016 and produced by Benjamz.
Critical reception
The Playmaker received generally positive reviews from critics. Joey Akan of Pulse Nigeria rated the album a 4 out of 5, stating that "The Playmaker" showcases his growth from a rapper to a versatile artist who seamlessly blends highlife and hip-hop. He highlighted the album's rich storytelling, emotional depth, and consistent production, asserting that it solidifies Phyno's status as a leading figure in Nigerian pop music. Wilfred Okiche of 360nobs reviewed The Playmaker by Phyno, noting that the album shows his transition from hardcore rap to a more diverse musical style, blending Igbo Folk and Highlife with commercial appeal. Okiche concluded, "The Playmaker is a big, sprawling, glossy, messy but ultimately worthwhile outing."
Jim Donnett of tooXclusive rated The Playmaker by Phyno 4 out of 5, highlighting its broad musical range and the artist's ability to blend rap with other genres, making the album appealing to a wide audience. Donnett concluded, " is a star-spangled work that doesn’t only beam meritoriously on the rapper, it also illuminates his association in a galaxy where his producers’ efforts in defying a local boy’s template sounds are allowed to shine independently."
Accolades
The Playmaker was nominated for Best Rap Album and Album of the Year at the 2018 edition of The Headies and Best Album at the 2017 edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Yes, I Pray (Nwa Oge Nta)" | Chibuzo Azubuike | Tunex | 3:42 |
| 2. | "Abulo" | Azubuike | Major Bangz | 4:14 |
| 3. | "Financial Woman" (featuring P-Square) |
| Chris Stringz | 4:14 |
| 4. | "Ino Nma" | Azubuike | Major Bangz | 4:42 |
| 5. | "Best Rapper" | Azubuike | Major Bangz | 4:38 |
| 6. | "E Sure For Me" | Azubuike | Kezyklef | 3:35 |
| 7. | "Link Up" (featuring M.I and Burna Boy) |
| Masterkraft | 3:38 |
| 8. | "Pino Pino" | Azubuike | Benjamz | 4:49 |
| 9. | "Okpeke" (featuring 2Baba and Flavour) |
| Major Bangz | 4:40 |
| 10. | "Obiagu" | Azubuike | Masterkraft | 4:09 |
| 11. | "Joy Comes in the Morning" | Azubuike | Major Bangz | 4:06 |
| 12. | "SFSG (So Far So Good)" | Azubuike | Masterkraft | 4:20 |
| 13. | "I'm a Fan" (featuring Decarlo and Mr Eazi) |
| Benjamz | 3:09 |
| 14. | "Mistakes" | Azubuike | Benjamz | 4:18 |
| 15. | "Ochie Dike (Mama)" (featuring Onyeka Onwenu) |
| Masterkraft | 5:06 |
| 16. | "Fada Fada" (featuring Olamide) |
| Masterkraft | 4:48 |
| 17. | "Mkpotu" (featuring Zoro and Tidinz) |
| Tunex | 4:05 |
| 18. | "Ezege" | Azubuike | Del B | 4:40 |
| 19. | "No Be My Style" (featuring Burna Boy) |
| TSpize | 4:21 |
| 20. | "Connect" | Azubuike | TSpize | 4:26 |
| Total length: | 84:00 | |||
Personnel
Credits adapted from Premium Times.
- TSpize - production
- Del B – production
- Benjamz – production
- Masterkraft – production
- Tunex – production
- Chris Stringz – production
- Kezyklef – production
- Major Bangz – production
- Xtraordinaire – mixing, mastering
- Harcourt Whyte - vocal sample
- Oriental Brothers - guitar sample
- Soularge - live guitars
- Paul Ukonu - photography
- Kenepisode - stylist
- Abinibi - album art
- Waga G - additional vocals
- Clarence Peters – video director
- Patrick Elis – video director
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 1 November 2016 | Penthauze |
References
- Ekowho, Jonathan (3 November 2016). "Phyno - 'Connect'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- "New Music Alert: Phyno – Ezege (Wickedest)". The Guardian. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- Idowu, Tomi (5 May 2016). "Music: Fada Fada: Phyno Ft. Olamide". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- Abayomi, John (23 December 2016). "Phyno - 'Connect'". The Punch. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- Azuka (8 July 2016). "[Single] Phyno – E Sure For Me". Filterfree.ng. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- "New Music: Phyno – Pino Pino". Soundcity. 9 October 2016. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- Akan, Joey (3 November 2016). "Phyno pulls every music string on "The Playmaker" album". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- Okiche, Wilfred (14 November 2016). "Album Review: Phyno – The Playmaker". 360nobs. Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- Donnett, Jim. "ALBUM REVIEW: Phyno – The Playmaker". tooXclusive. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- "Headies 2018: Full list of nominees". Ayodele Oluwagbemi. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- "Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Jidenna and More Nominated For 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards". Damola Durosomo. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- "Phyno unveils official track-list for "The Playmaker" album". Idoko Salihu. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2024.