Styl-Plus
Encyclopedia
The group Styl-Plus is a Nigerian gospel
and pop
musical group / quartet. The founding members were Shifi Emoefe, Tunde Akinsanmi, Yemi Akinwonmi, and Lanre Faneyi and the name STYL was adopted by combining the first letters of the first names of the founding members.
In 1999 Lanre Faneyi died and Zeal Onyecheme joined the group. The name of the quartet turned to Styl-Plus, the Plus being used to indicate the new addition to the group. In 2002 Yemi Akinwonmi left the group and the musical band became a trio without adding a new member. Starting 2003, the group had its own record label Styl-Plus Music
, Nigeria
and made up of four members. In the year 2001, the group sang mainly pop and love songs.
In 1999, upon the death of Lanre Faneyi, and the addition of Zeal Onyecheme, the name of the group was changed to Styl-Plus.
In 2002 Yemi Akinwonmi left the group to pursue another career.
In 2003 the group teamed up with Anthony 'T-Jazz' Ukpong and Joseph 'Joey' Ukpong to form their own record label; Styl-Plus Music.
Based in Abuja
, Nigeria
, the group used its strong vocals and addictive soundtracks to successfully blend together English
and indigenous languages, on their Pop
and R&B tracks.
The motto of the group is "Positive-Cultural-International" and this is evident in the positive messages and the noticeable absence of raunchy and profane lyrics, which characterize some R & B music.
The members of the group are all graduates of Federal University of Technology, Akure
, except Zeal, who dropped out in 2005 due to the sudden success of the group. All were bachelors in their mid-twenties at the time.
In February 2006, they released their highly anticipated 11 track debut album "Expressions". The spectacular, star-studded album launch in Abuja and Lagos was rumoured to have cost over N10 million (about $75,000) making it the most expensive album launch in Nigerian history.
Their singles Olufunmi and Runaway were amongst the most requested love songs on all the major Nigerian R&B radio stations between 2004 and 2005.
"Imagine That" is the lead single from their official debut Album, "Expressions". It has also been a massive chart topper, and has been used in numerous shows, including the pioneer edition of Big Brother Nigeria.
Styl-Plus have performed with a number of artists including Shaka Demus and Pliers, Femi Kuti
, 2 Face, Jazzman Olofin, Ruggedman
, P-Square
and opened concerts for Wyclef Jean
, Boyz II Men
and Yvonne Chaka Chaka
.
, Amen Awards and Kora Award nominees.
In 2005, Call My Name won best R&B video award by Channel O
South African music station.
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
musical group / quartet. The founding members were Shifi Emoefe, Tunde Akinsanmi, Yemi Akinwonmi, and Lanre Faneyi and the name STYL was adopted by combining the first letters of the first names of the founding members.
In 1999 Lanre Faneyi died and Zeal Onyecheme joined the group. The name of the quartet turned to Styl-Plus, the Plus being used to indicate the new addition to the group. In 2002 Yemi Akinwonmi left the group and the musical band became a trio without adding a new member. Starting 2003, the group had its own record label Styl-Plus Music
History
STYL was formed in 1997 in AbujaAbuja
Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. It is located in the centre of Nigeria, within the Federal Capital Territory . Abuja is a planned city, and was built mainly in the 1980s. It officially became Nigeria's capital on 12 December 1991, replacing Lagos...
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
and made up of four members. In the year 2001, the group sang mainly pop and love songs.
In 1999, upon the death of Lanre Faneyi, and the addition of Zeal Onyecheme, the name of the group was changed to Styl-Plus.
In 2002 Yemi Akinwonmi left the group to pursue another career.
In 2003 the group teamed up with Anthony 'T-Jazz' Ukpong and Joseph 'Joey' Ukpong to form their own record label; Styl-Plus Music.
Based in Abuja
Abuja
Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. It is located in the centre of Nigeria, within the Federal Capital Territory . Abuja is a planned city, and was built mainly in the 1980s. It officially became Nigeria's capital on 12 December 1991, replacing Lagos...
, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, the group used its strong vocals and addictive soundtracks to successfully blend together English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and indigenous languages, on their Pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and R&B tracks.
The motto of the group is "Positive-Cultural-International" and this is evident in the positive messages and the noticeable absence of raunchy and profane lyrics, which characterize some R & B music.
The members of the group are all graduates of Federal University of Technology, Akure
Federal University of Technology Akure
The Federal University of Technology Akure was founded in 1981 under a drive by the government of Nigeria to create universities that specialised in producing graduates with practical as well as theoretical knowledge of technologies...
, except Zeal, who dropped out in 2005 due to the sudden success of the group. All were bachelors in their mid-twenties at the time.
Releases
In late October 2003, under the management of T-Jazz and Joey, they released two singles to radio stations. The response was tremendous, and the unprecedented airplay the tracks received fuelled the subsequent massive sales of the Singles on CD and audiotape.In February 2006, they released their highly anticipated 11 track debut album "Expressions". The spectacular, star-studded album launch in Abuja and Lagos was rumoured to have cost over N10 million (about $75,000) making it the most expensive album launch in Nigerian history.
Their singles Olufunmi and Runaway were amongst the most requested love songs on all the major Nigerian R&B radio stations between 2004 and 2005.
"Imagine That" is the lead single from their official debut Album, "Expressions". It has also been a massive chart topper, and has been used in numerous shows, including the pioneer edition of Big Brother Nigeria.
Styl-Plus have performed with a number of artists including Shaka Demus and Pliers, Femi Kuti
Femi Kuti
Olufela Olufemi Anikulapo Kuti popularly known as Femi Kuti, is a Nigerian musician and the eldest son of afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti....
, 2 Face, Jazzman Olofin, Ruggedman
Ruggedman
Michael Stephens, known by his name Ruggedman, born on September 20 in Ehen, Abia State, is a Nigerian rapper.A graduate of political science from Lagos State University, Ọ̀jọ́, he started loving music in 1989. He had his own songs done in 1991 and released a CD, which had two tracks...
, P-Square
P-Square
P-Square are a Nigerian R&B duo composed of non-identical twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye.-History:The story of P-Square began in St. Murumba secondary school, a small Catholic school in Jos, Nigeria...
and opened concerts for Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
, Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
and Yvonne Chaka Chaka
Yvonne Chaka Chaka
Yvonne Chaka Chaka is a South African singer.Dubbed the "Princess of Africa", Chaka Chaka has been at the forefront of South African popular music for 20 years...
.
Awards
The group has received numerous Nigerian National awards as well as International awards by Channel OChannel O
Channel O is a South African-based music channel which first started transmission in the early nineties. Its main concept is African music in Africa and the diaspora. Over the years, this music channel has made household names of its presenters such as Mimi, Nonhle, KB, Miss Candy.Channel O can be...
, Amen Awards and Kora Award nominees.
In 2005, Call My Name won best R&B video award by Channel O
Channel O
Channel O is a South African-based music channel which first started transmission in the early nineties. Its main concept is African music in Africa and the diaspora. Over the years, this music channel has made household names of its presenters such as Mimi, Nonhle, KB, Miss Candy.Channel O can be...
South African music station.
Singles
- Olufunmi
- Olufunmi remix ft. Da Kapo
- Runaway
- Call My Name
- Imagine That
- Hadiza
- Iya Basira
- Ima
- Always on my mind
- Stay alive
- Coming Home
- She drives me crazy
- Drives me crazy
- Drives me crazy remix ft. 2 Shotz
- Four years
- When you smile
Albums
| Album Information |
|---|
Expressions
|
| Album Information |
|---|
Back and Better
|
External links
- The Official Website
- Styl-Plus on MyspaceMyspaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Styl-Plus lyrics, audio, video
- Listen to Styl-Plus on Rhapsody
- Listen to Styl-Plus New Album; Expressions
- Styl-Plus Xclusive interview