The Playmaker (album)

The Playmaker
The Playmaker
Studio album by Phyno
Released	1 November 2016
Recorded	2015–2016
Studio	Nigeria
Genre	Igbo rap; hip hop;
Length	84:00
Language	Igbo; Nigerian Pidgin;
Label	Penthauze Music
Producer	Del B; Masterkraft; Chris Stringz; TSpize; Major Bangz; Tunex; Kezyklef; Benjamz;
Phyno chronology
Singles from The Playmaker
	"Connect"; Released: 6 October 2015; "Ezege"; Released: 26 January 2016; "Fada Fada"; Released: 5 May 2016; "E Sure For Me"; Released: 7 July 2016; "Pino Pino"; Released: 9 October 2016;

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.^[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. The producer, Masterkraft, was nominated for Producer of the Year for "Fada Fada" at the ceremony.^[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. Jonathan Ekowho 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.^[7] Isime Esene of YNaija noted that while Phyno has risen to become one of Nigeria's biggest stars, the quality of his music has declined. Esene described The Playmaker as an entertainment-focused album that blends Igbo, folk and highlife, reflecting Phyno's shift from his pure rap roots.^[8]

Accolades

The Playmaker was nominated for Best Rap Album and Album of the Year at the 2018 edition of The Headies^[9] and Best Album at the 2017 edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.^[10]

Track listing

*The Playmaker* 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)	Azubuike Peter Okoye Paul Okoye	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)	Azubuike Jude Abaga Damini Ogulu	Masterkraft	3:38
8.	"Pino Pino"	Azubuike	Benjamz	4:49
9.	"Okpeke" (featuring 2Baba and Flavour)	Azubuike Innocent Idibia Chinedu Okoli	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)	Azubuike T. Coles Oluwatosin Ajibade	Benjamz	3:09
14.	"Mistakes"	Azubuike	Benjamz	4:18
15.	"Ochie Dike (Mama)" (featuring Onyeka Onwenu)	Azubuike Onyeka Onwenu	Masterkraft	5:06
16.	"Fada Fada" (featuring Olamide)	Azubuike Olamide Adedeji	Masterkraft	4:48
17.	"Mkpotu" (featuring Zoro and Tidinz)	Azubuike Owoh Chrismathner Dilichukwu Okonkwo	Tunex	4:05
18.	"Ezege"	Azubuike	Del B	4:40
19.	"No Be My Style" (featuring Burna Boy)	Azubuike Ogulu	TSpize	4:21
20.	"Connect"	Azubuike	TSpize	4:26
Total length:				84:00

Personnel

Credits adapted from Premium Times.^[11]

Chibuzo "Phyno" Nelson – primary artist, writer
Decarlo – featured artist, writer
Damini "Burna Boy" Ogulu – featured artist, writer
Olamide Adedeji – featured artist, writer
Onyeka Onwenu – featured artist, writer
Dilichukwu "Tidinz" Okonkwo – featured artist, writer
Innocent "2Baba" Idibia – featured artist, writer
Owoh "Zoro" Chrismathner – featured artist, writer
Chinedu "Flavour" Okoli – featured artist, writer
Peter and Paul "P-Square" Okoye – featured artist, writer
Oluwatosin "Mr Eazi" Ajibade – featured artist, writer
Jude "M.I" Abaga – featured artist, writer
TSpize - producer
Del B – producer
Benjamz – producer
Masterkraft – producer
Tunex – producer
Chris Stringz – producer
Kezyklef – producer
Major Bangz – producer
Xtraordinaire – mixing engineer, mastering engineer
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	CD digital download	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.
^ Ekowho, Jonathan (3 November 2016). "Phyno pulls every music string on "The Playmaker" album". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
^ Esene, Isime (19 November 2016). "Album review: Phyno's The Playmaker is big, sprawling and messy". YNaija. Retrieved 3 August 2024.
^ "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.

[1] Ekowho, Jonathan (3 November 2016). "Phyno - 'Connect'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 26 November 2024.

[2] "New Music Alert: Phyno – Ezege (Wickedest)". The Guardian. 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. 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] Ekowho, Jonathan (3 November 2016). "Phyno pulls every music string on "The Playmaker" album". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 3 August 2024.

[8] Esene, Isime (19 November 2016). "Album review: Phyno's The Playmaker is big, sprawling and messy". YNaija. Retrieved 3 August 2024.

[9] "Headies 2018: Full list of nominees". Ayodele Oluwagbemi. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2024.

[10] "Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Jidenna and More Nominated For 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards". Damola Durosomo. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2024.

[11] "Phyno unveils official track-list for "The Playmaker" album". Idoko Salihu. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2024.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]