The Playmaker (album)

The Playmaker
Studio album by
Phyno
Released1 November 2016
Genres
Length85:25
Languages
LabelPenthauze
Producers
Phyno chronology
2 Kings
(2015)		 The Playmaker
(2016)		 Deal with It
(2019)
Singles from the Playmaker
  1. "Connect"
    Released: 6 October 2015
  2. "Ezege"
    Released: 26 January 2016
  3. "Fada Fada"
    Released: 5 May 2016
  4. "E Sure For Me"
    Released: 7 July 2016
  5. "Pino Pino"
    Released: 9 October 2016

The Playmaker is the second studio album by Nigerian rapper Phyno, released on 1 November 2016 by Penthauze Music. Predominantly recorded in Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin, 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 was supported the singles "Connect", "Ezege", "Fada Fada", "E Sure for Me", and "Pino Pino". It is a follow-up to 2 Kings (2015).

Singles

The album's lead single, "Connect", was released on 6 October 2015 and was produced by TSpize.[1] The second single, "Ezege", was released on 26 January 2016 and was produced by Del B.[2] The third single, "Fada Fada" features Olamide and was produced by Masterkraft. It was released on 5 May 2016,[3] won Song of the Year, and was nominated for Best Pop Single at the 2016 edition of The Headies. At the ceremony, Masterkraft earned a nomination for Producer of the Year for "Fada Fada".[4] The fourth single, "E Sure for Me" was released on 7 July 2016 and was produced by Kezyklef.[5] The fifth single, "Pino Pino" was released on 9 October 2016 and produced by Benjamz.[6]

Critical reception

The Playmaker received generally positive reviews from critics. Joey Akan of Pulse Nigeria rated the album a 4 out of 5, praising it for being "complete and consistent all through the album, giving the listener a holistic experience of the new Phyno as a man, an artiste and an industry leader", and called it a "confirmation of his present status".[7] Wilfred Okiche of 360nobs said that The Playmaker was "big, sprawling, glossy, messy but ultimately worthwhile outing."[8]

Jim Donnett of tooXclusive rated the Playmaker by Phyno 4 out of 5, saying it was "a star-spangled work that doesn't only beam meritoriously on the rapper, [but] also illuminates his association in a galaxy where his producers' efforts in defying a local boy's template sounds are allowed to shine independently".[9] Chiagoziem Onyekwena of Filter Free said that the album was "musically diverse" and rated it 7.8/10.[10]

Accolades

Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results Ref.
2017 Ghana-Naija Showbiz Awards Album of the Year Nominated [11]
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Album Nominated [12]
2018 The Headies Best Rap Album Nominated [13]
Album of the Year Won

Track listing

The Playmaker track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Yes, I Pray (Nwa Oge Nta)"Chibuzo AzubuikeTunex3:42
2."Abulo"AzubuikeMajor Bangz4:14
3."Financial Woman" (featuring P-Square)
Chris Stringz4:14
4."Ino Nma"AzubuikeMajor Bangz4:42
5."Best Rapper"AzubuikeMajor Bangz4:38
6."E Sure For Me"AzubuikeKezyklef3:35
7."Link Up" (featuring M.I and Burna Boy)
Masterkraft3:38
8."Pino Pino"AzubuikeBenjamz4:49
9."Okpeke" (featuring 2Baba and Flavour)
Major Bangz4:40
10."Obiagu"AzubuikeMasterkraft4:09
11."Joy Comes in the Morning"AzubuikeMajor Bangz4:06
12."SFSG (So Far So Good)"AzubuikeMasterkraft4:20
13."I'm a Fan" (featuring DeCarlo and Mr Eazi)
Benjamz3:09
14."Mistakes"AzubuikeBenjamz4:18
15."Ochie Dike (Mama)" (featuring Onyeka Onwenu)
Masterkraft5:06
16."Fada Fada" (featuring Olamide)
Masterkraft4:48
17."Mkpotu" (featuring Zoro and Tidinz)
Tunex4:05
18."Ezege"AzubuikeDel B4:40
19."No Be My Style" (featuring Burna Boy)
  • Azubuike
  • Ogulu
TSpize4:21
20."Connect"AzubuikeTSpize4:26
Total length:84:00

Personnel

Credits adapted from Premium Times.[14]

  • 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

Release history and formats for The Playmaker
Region Date Format Label
Nigeria 1 November 2016 Penthauze

References

  1. ↑ Akan, Jonathan (3 November 2016). "Phyno - 'Connect'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  2. ↑ "New Music Alert: Phyno – Ezege (Wickedest)". Guardian Life Magazine. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  3. ↑ Idowu, Tomi (5 May 2016). "Music: Fada Fada: Phyno Ft. Olamide". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  4. ↑ Abayomi, John (23 December 2016). "Phyno - 'Connect'". The Punch. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  5. ↑ Azuka (8 July 2016). "[Single] Phyno – E Sure For Me". Filterfree.ng. Archived from the original on 7 December 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  6. ↑ "New Music: Phyno – Pino Pino". Soundcity. 9 October 2016. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Okiche, Wilfred (14 November 2016). "Album Review: Phyno – The Playmaker". 360nobs. Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  9. ↑ Donnett, Jim. "ALBUM REVIEW: Phyno – The Playmaker". tooXclusive. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  10. ↑ Onyekwena, Chiagoziem (26 November 2016). "Phyno Makes a Play for the Money on The Playmaker Album". Filter Free. Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  11. ↑ Sanusi, Hassan (19 March 2017). "Wizkid, Sarkodie, Tekno, Funke Akindele and more nominated for Ghana-Naija Showbiz Awards 2017". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  12. ↑ Durosomo, Damola (11 July 2017). "Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Jidenna and More Nominated For 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  13. ↑ Oluwagbemi, Ayodele (13 April 2018). "Headies 2018: Full list of nominees". The Punch. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
  14. ↑ Salihu, Idoko (31 October 2016). "Phyno unveils official track-list for "The Playmaker" album". Premium Times. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
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