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. 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. At the ceremony, Masterkraft earned a nomination for Producer of the Year for "Fada Fada". 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, 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". Wilfred Okiche of 360nobs said that The Playmaker was "big, sprawling, glossy, messy but ultimately worthwhile outing."
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". Chiagoziem Onyekwena of Filter Free said that the album was "musically diverse" and rated it 7.8/10.
Accolades Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results Ref.2017Ghana-Naija Showbiz AwardsAlbum of the YearNigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Album2018The HeadiesBest Rap AlbumAlbum of the Year
Track listing
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 +Release history and formats for The Playmaker Region Date Format Label Nigeria 1 November 2016 Penthauze
References