Tunde Akinsanmi
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Tunde Styl-Plus | |
|---|---|
| File:Tunde Styl-Plus.jpg | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Tunde Akinsanmi |
| Born | 26 June 1978 Ibadan, Nigeria |
| Origin | Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Nigeria |
| Genres | R&B, Afrobeats, Soul, Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, producer |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | B.A.T Media & Communications |
| Associated acts | Styl-Plus |
Tunde Akinsanmi (born June 26, 1978 in Ibadan, Nigeria), professionally known as Tunde Styl-Plus, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, record producer, and co-founder of the Nigerian R&B and pop music group Styl-Plus, widely regarded in the 2000s as "Nigeria’s Boys II Men". Akinsanmi has pursued a solo career, releasing singles and founding his independent record label, B.A.T Media and Communications.
Originally from Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, he is known for his distinctive R&B vocals and began releasing solo music in 2012 while Styl-Plus temporarily paused recording, continuing to create independently while awaiting the group's return. His singles include African Lady, Undercover, and Every Me. He is regarded as a significant figure in Nigerian R&B and Afro-fusion music.
Legacy, contributions, and influence
Tunde Akinsanmi is widely regarded as one of the most recognizable voices of the early 2000s Nigerian music industry. As the lead vocalist and co-founder of Styl-Plus, he helped define a new era of Nigerian R&B and pop music that blended Western harmonies with African storytelling. His voice on hits such as Olufunmi, Imagine That, and Runaway was often described by critics as “silky yet powerful,” setting a standard for contemporary Nigerian ballads.[1]
After going solo, Tunde retained much of his fan base, and music commentators have credited him with preserving the legacy of Styl-Plus while reinventing himself for a new generation of Afrobeats listeners.[2] His songs as a solo artist have been praised for maintaining emotional depth while exploring new genres such as Afro-fusion and contemporary pop.
Music critics also note that Tunde’s influence extends beyond his recordings. His decision to create solo music in 2012 inspired other Nigerian boy-band members and collaborative acts to pursue independent careers, helping to shape the culture of artist reinvention within the Afrobeats movement.[3]
Through both his group and solo contributions, Tunde Akinsanmi has been described as a bridge between the classic R&B era of the 2000s and the global Afrobeats sound of the 2020s.
Styl-Plus, co-founded by Akinsanmi, played a pivotal role in shaping the Nigerian R&B soundscape of the early 2000s. Their use of English, Yoruba, and Nigerian Pidgin in love ballads made their music relatable to a broad audience.[4]
In later interviews, Akinsanmi expressed disappointment that Styl-Plus is often excluded from mainstream Afrobeats history despite their influence.[5]
Early life and education
Tunde Akinsanmi was born in Ibadan, Nigeria, into a family of seven, and hails from Ile-Oluji, Ondo State. He attended the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), where he studied Agricultural Economics and Extension.[6] While in university, he developed a passion for music and founded campus singing groups that would later evolve into Styl-Plus.
Personal life
In interviews, Tunde Akinsanmi has spoken about how personal pressures affected his career decisions. In a 2024 interview, he emphasized that his decision to pursue solo projects was motivated by creative freedom and personal growth, not greed.[7]
Career
Formation of Styl-Plus
In 1997, Akinsanmi co-founded the group STYL alongside Shifi Emoefe, Yemi Akinwonmi, and Lanre Faneyi while studying at FUTA.[8] The group’s name was formed from the first letters of their names. Following the death of Lanre Faneyi in 1998 and Yemi Akinwonmi’s departure, Zeal Onyecheme joined, leading to the renaming of the group as Styl-Plus.[9]
Akinsanmi, as the lead vocalist, became the most recognizable face and voice of Styl-Plus. Their sound combined R&B harmonies with Nigerian pop, pioneering a wave of love ballads that defined urban Nigerian music in the 2000s.[10]
Breakthrough and success
Styl-Plus gained national attention with their 2003 hit single Olufunmi, which became one of the biggest Nigerian love songs of its era.[11] The group followed up with a string of successful singles including Runaway, Call My Name, Imagine That, and Iya Basira.
In 2006, they released their debut album Expressions, which cemented their status as one of Nigeria’s most successful R&B groups.[12] Subsequent albums included Back and Better (2008) and Unbreakable.
Solo career
By 2012, Akinsanmi had reduced public performances with Styl-Plus as the group took a temporary break from recording new music. In November 2018, he formally launched his solo career and adopted the stage name Tunde Tdot.[13] He was previously signed with PEC Records and later founded his independent label, B.A.T Media & Communications.
In interviews, he explained that his solo projects were intended for personal growth and creative exploration while the group was on hiatus, emphasizing that the decision was not motivated by greed or conflict.[14]
His solo career formally launched in 2017 with singles such as Love Me Well, My Heart, and Kinimolese, followed by Forever and African Lady in 2018.[15]
Between 2019 and 2025, Tunde released projects including Sweet Loving (2019), Undercover (2022), and a series of singles in 2025 such as True And Real, Together, Free From Reality (Zoned Out), African Lady (2025 Remastered), Every Me, Party Animals, Take It Easy, Imagine That (The Summary), and Runaway (The Summary).[16]
He has also appeared on collaborations such as Obuliwom Elu, Overdose, and About Love, credited as Tunde Styl-Plus.[17]
Discography
Solo singles
- Love Me Well (2017)[18]
- My Heart (2017)[19]
- Kinimolese (2017)[20]
- Forever (2018)[21]
- African Lady (2018)[22]
- Sweet Loving (2019)[23]
- Undercover (2022)[24]
- True And Real (2025)[25]
- Together (2025)[26]
- Free From Reality (Zoned Out) (2025)[27]
- African Lady (2025 Remastered) (2025)[28]
- Every Me (2025)[29]
- Party Animals (2025)[30]
- Take It Easy (2025)[31]
- Imagine That (The Summary) (2025)[32]
- Runaway (The Summary) (2025)[33]
With Styl-Plus
- Expressions (2006)
- Back and Better (2008)
- Unbreakable (year unknown)
- Hit singles: Olufunmi, Runaway, Call My Name, Imagine That, Iya Basira
Features and collaborations
- Obuliwom Elu
- Overdose
- About Love (credited as **Tunde Styl-Plus**)[34]
Awards and recognition
- Winner, Best R&B Video, "Call My Name - Styl-Plus", Channel O Music Video Awards (2005)[35]
- Honoree, Youth Ambassador for Peace Award, World Youth Federation for World Peace – for contribution to youth and peace initiatives (2009)[36]
- Honoree, Peace Achievers International Awards (2021) – Styl-Plus recognition for contributions to peace and humanitarian work [37]
Nominations
- Nominee – Styl-Plus, Kora Awards (2005)[38]
- Nominee – Styl-Plus, The Annual Award for Musical Excellence in Nigeria (AMEN) Awards (2007)[39]
See also
References
- ↑ "Styl-Plus: The boy band that defined an era". The Nation. 14 July 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Tunde Styl-Plus: Still relevant after Styl-Plus years". Vanguard. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Why I left Styl-Plus — Tunde Akinsanmi". The Nation. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Styl-Plus and the storytelling tradition in Afrobeats". The Native Mag. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Styl-Plus' Tunde speaks on exclusion from Afrobeats history". Legit.ng. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Styl-Plus official biography". Styl-Plus.com. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Tunde Akinsanmi: I didn't leave Styl Plus out of greed". The Nation. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "It's tough now introducing myself as a solo artiste – ex-Styl-Plus member". Daily Trust. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Styl-Plus: The rise and legacy of Nigeria's R&B pioneers". The Native Mag. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Styl-Plus and storytelling in Afrobeats". The Native Mag. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Olufunmi: An Afrobeats throwback". Pulse Nigeria. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Styl-Plus - Expressions album review". Pulse Nigeria. 2024-07-25. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Tunde Styl-Plus goes solo, picks new stage name". Vanguard Nigeria. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Tunde speaks on why he left Styl-Plus". BrandIconImage. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Tunde Styl-Plus goes solo, picks new stage name". Vanguard. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Tunde Tdot – Artist Discography". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Tunde Styl-Plus – Artist Profile". Tidal. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Love Me Well – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "My Heart – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Kinimolese – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Forever – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Tunde Styl-Plus goes solo, picks new stage name". Vanguard. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Sweet Loving – Single". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Undercover – Single". Apple Music. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "True And Real – Single". Apple Music. 7 March 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Together – Single". Apple Music. 14 March 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Free From Reality (Zoned Out) – Single". Apple Music. 4 April 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "African Lady (2025 Remastered) – Single". Apple Music. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Every Me – Single". Apple Music. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Party Animals – Single". Apple Music. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Take It Easy – Single". Apple Music. 9 August 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Imagine That (The Summary) – Single". Apple Music. 4 August 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Runaway (The Summary) – Single". Apple Music. 29 August 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Tunde Styl-Plus – Artist Profile". Tidal. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Styl-Plus". Wikipedia. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ↑ "Tunde Styl-Plus - Biography". Tunde Styl-Plus Official. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ↑ "Sanusi, El-Rufai, Styl-Plus, others to be honoured at 10th Peace Achievers International Awards". Vanguard. 2021-10-06. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ↑ "Praye Lifts The Flag of Ghana High At KORA". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Nigeria: Paul Play, Infinity, Faze Top Amen Nominations". AllAfrica. 2007-07-01. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
External links
- Official Website
- Tunde Styl-Plus on Apple Music
- Tunde Styl-Plus on Spotify
- Tunde Styl-Plus on Audiomack
- Tunde Styl-Plus on Deezer
- Tunde Styl-Plus on Tidal
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