"Play No Games" is a song by American rapper Big Sean from his third studio album Dark Sky Paradise (2015). It features American singers Chris Brown and Ty Dolla Sign with production handled by Key Wane and Jay John Henry. "Play No Games" also samples Guy's 1988 hit single "Piece of My Love." "Play No Games" was sent to US urban contemporary radio on September 22, 2015, as the album's fifth official single.[1]
| "Play No Games" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Big Sean featuring Chris Brown and Ty Dolla Sign | ||||
| from the album Dark Sky Paradise | ||||
| Released | September 22, 2015 | |||
| Recorded | 2014 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:37 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Big Sean singles chronology | ||||
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| Chris Brown singles chronology | ||||
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| Ty Dolla Sign singles chronology | ||||
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The song peaked at number eight on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart while peaking at number 84 and number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts, respectively.[2]
Critical reception
editThe song received universal acclaim from music critics. Billboard praised the song's sample of Guy's "Piece of My Love", adding that Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign "contribute vocals that guarantee another hit for all three"[3] Complex commented that the track is "so suave and upbeat that I might’ve guessed that it was a lead single".[4] Pitchfork defined "Play No Games" as an "admirably boogying R&B palate cleanser".[5]
Music video
editDirected by Mike Carson and inspired by the popular sitcom Martin, the music video for "Play No Games" premiered at the BET Awards on June 28, 2015 and features French Montana, Sevyn Streeter, Reginald Ballard (in character as Bruh Man) singing Ty Dolla Sign's vocals, along with an appearance by the sitcom's title character, Martin Lawrence.[6]
Charts
edit| Chart (2015–16) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[7] | 84 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[8] | 28 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[9] | 8 |
| US Rhythmic (Billboard)[10] | 15 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[11] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
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‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases".
- ^ "Big Sean". Billboard.
- ^ Kennedy, John (February 23, 2015). "Big Sean, 'Dark Sky Paradise': Track-by-Track Review". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
- ^ Charity, Justin (February 24, 2015). "Review: Big Sean's "Dark Sky Paradise" Proves He's a Better Rapper Than You Thought". Complex. Archived from the original on February 25, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
- ^ Sergent, Jordan. "Big Sean: Dark Sky Paradise". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 16, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ^ "Big Sean Visits the '90s With 'Martin'-tastic Video 'Play No Games'". Fuse.
- ^ "Big Sean Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Big Sean Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Big Sean Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard.
- ^ "Big Sean Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
- ^ "American single certifications – Big Sean – Play No Games". Recording Industry Association of America.