Few names evoke nostalgia in Nigerian R&B quite like Styl‑Plus. It was a group that once controlled the airwaves, delivered timeless love songs, and defined the sound of a generation. From chart‑topping singles like “Olufunmi” and “Imagine That” to sold‑out shows and campus anthems, Styl‑Plus was more than a band, it was a cultural phenomenon.
Who Were Styl‑Plus?
Originally formed in 1997 in Akure, Ondo State, the group began as a quartet under the name STYL, an acronym derived from the founding members’ first names: Shifi Emoefe, Tunde Akinsanmi, Yemi Akinwonmi, and Lanre Faneyi. Tragedy struck early when Lanre Faneyi died in 1998, and Zeal Onyecheme joined, prompting the name change to Styl‑Plus. The “Plus” represents Zeal’s addition.
By the early 2000s, Styl‑Plus had become one of Nigeria’s most beloved R&B acts. Their sound which was filled with lush harmonies, heartfelt lyrics, and a blend of English and Yoruba resonated deeply with audiences. Songs like Runaway, Four Years, and Iya Basira were everywhere, and many fans still recall how tracks like Four Years became rites of passage at university graduations.
Despite early success, the group faced internal shifts. One of such was Yemi’s exit in 2002, leaving the trio of Shifi, Tunde, and Zeal to carry the Styl‑Plus legacy forward.
Tunde: The Voice Behind the Hits
At the heart of Styl‑Plus was Tunde Akinsanmi, a gifted singer, songwriter, and musician. Born into a family deeply rooted in academia, Tunde’s musical journey began in school choirs and church, his voice shining early and setting him on a path that would define Nigerian R&B. After tertiary studies, despite struggling academically due to his musical focus, Tunde brought both technical chops and emotional depth to the group’s signature sound.
But even as Styl‑Plus became a household name, tensions beneath the surface were growing. These tensions would end up shaping Tunde’s path in music and life.
From Stardom to Struggle: Tunde’s Account
In an extensive interview with Daddy Freeze, released December 10, Tunde unpacked the full story of his rise, his time with Styl‑Plus, and the complex unraveling of relationships, business, and legacy.
Growing Up With Music in His Bones
Starting at the beginning during an interview released on December 10 with Daddy Freeze, Tunde revealed he was the third of five children in an academic home. His father was a lecturer at the University of Ibadan, and his mother was a teacher. Both had PhDs, so they believed education was the path he should follow. Music was never meant to be a career.
But music found him anyway.
As a child in staff school, he once wandered into an assembly hall where a choir was rehearsing. The music teacher, Mr. Sapong, stopped everything when he heard young Tunde’s voice. He told him he had a gift. From that moment, Tunde joined every church choir his family attended.
Years later, while at ISI, a neighbor had an upright piano. That’s where Tunde taught himself to play. Six months of steady practice turned him into a decent player and gave him the confidence that would later drive his music career. Mrs. Inyanga, the school’s music teacher from the West Indies, added structure. She taught him timing, notes, and chords, giving him a foundation he would rely on for years.
A Degree for the Family, a Dream for Himself
Tunde eventually studied Agricultural Economics at the Federal University of Technology, Akure FUTA. He admits he chose it only because he needed a course to study. His passion remained music, even when his parents worried about him skipping classes to play for campus fellowships. He ended up graduating with a third-class degree, but he knew his future was not tied to a classroom.
The Birth of STYL and the Pain That Followed
His real musical journey began at FUTA. While playing keyboard for fellowships, he met Shifi. They started singing acapella gospel songs. Soon Yemi and Larry joined them, and the group STYL was born. The name came from their initials.
Larry’s sudden death in a swimming accident in 1998 changed everything. The group struggled with his loss but wanted to honour him. Later in Abuja, they met Zeal, who became a member. To keep Larry’s memory alive, they added “Plus” to the name. That was how Styl Plus came into being.
The Making of a Classic
One of the group’s biggest songs began as “Sophia,” written by Shifi. Tunde recalled he reworked the song when Premier Music said they needed more African elements. He claimed his brother’s girlfriend at the time was named Funmi, so the track became “Olufunmi.” Tunde revealed he wrote the Yoruba chorus that would later make the song one of the most loved records of its time.
But even in the warmth of success, trouble was brewing.
The Early Cracks: Credits, Royalties, and Silence
Years later, Tunde discovered his contributions were not credited. In the CD era, songwriters were often left unlisted, but when streaming platforms came, his name was missing completely. Songs he wrote alone or co-wrote were credited to others.
He says 2007 was the turning point. That was when they fell out with management. According to him, management withheld awards, documents, and their official website. They uploaded Style Plus songs online without the right credits and removed his name from anything tied to royalties. A distribution deal in 2016 continued the same pattern. Tunde said he was earning nothing from the music he helped build.
The Beginning of the End
Tunde says he never planned to go solo. But when he saw collaborations happening without him and performances taking place without his knowledge, he recorded his own song. That single act created a rift that never healed. Soon, the other members stopped performing with him. They began booking shows as Style Plus without telling him.
The fallout touched every part of his life, including his marriage. Tunde disclosed how his marriage, which began in 2010, faced financial strain because he was not earning enough. He asserted that group income was split five ways among three members and two managers back in the day and called it one of their biggest mistakes.
Attempts to Make Peace
Even after the split, Tunde tried to reconcile many times. According to him, he paid for damages when the group ran into trouble. He defended them publicly and avoided fights, hoping they could return to what they once were. But they continued using the name Styl Plus without resolving ownership. He then released Style Plus Legacy in 2017 to preserve his contributions and keep his version of the story alive.
Asked when they last spoke, he revealed that they had a recent meeting which was held only through lawyers and ended without progress.
Tunde shared that around 2021–2022, he instructed his lawyer to formally notify Shifi and Zeal that they should not continue to use the name Style Plus without resolving its ownership. He stressed that continuing to perform as Styl‑Plus without clear agreement would cause confusion, especially given his ongoing solo career. According to him, the response from Zeal was aggressive and hostile. Tunde who read out the text message said it was filled with profanity and threats, as proof of just how deep the rift had become.
Despite his long friendship with Zeal, Tunde admitted he still doesn’t know exactly what caused such animosity, as Zeal never directly explained it to him.
Tunde shared how his parents ended up supporting his career and how his late father’s last wish in 2017 was for the group to reconcile. According to Tunde, he tried, but life had taken the members in different directions. Today, he says he no longer feels empty without them and has accepted the past.
He added that he wants to keep his current marriage and family private while focusing on his music.
A Message to Shifi and Zeal
When Daddy Freeze asked what he would say to his former brothers if they were watching, Tunde simply replied:
“I haven’t said all this to harm anyone. I still love you guys. But stop trying to erase me from our joint legacy. If you have a different story, tell it. Peace out. One love.”
Conclusion
Styl‑Plus’s influence on Nigerian R&B is unquestionable. They were dubbed Africa’s Boyz II Men in their prime and remain icons of early 2000s love ballads. Yet the story of Tunde and the group illustrates how creative brilliance doesn’t always safeguard against business conflict, personal discord, and the struggle for legacy control.
Whether Styl‑Plus will ever reunite remains uncertain, however, Tunde has ensured his voice and his truth will not be forgotten.
Discussion about this post