The group STYL was formed in 1997 as a gospel quartet by founding members Shifi Emoefe, Tunde Akinsanmi, Yemi Akinwonmi, and Lanre Faneyi. In 1999 Lanre passed away and Zeal Onyecheme joined the group. The name STYL which was formed by combining the first letters of the first names of the founding members then turned to Styl-Plus, the Plus being used to indicate the new addition to the group.
In the year 2001, the group expanded from singing strictly gospel songs, to inspirational and love songs.
In 2002 Yemi 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.
In late October of 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 subsequenlty massive sales of the Singles on Cd and audiotapes.
Based in Abuja , FCT, the group uses 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 most R&B groups.
The members of the group are all graduates of FUT Akure, and are all bachelors in their twenties.
Shifi Emoefe
Age Mid-twenties
State of Origin: Delta State
Course Studied: Quantity Surveying
Institution: Fed University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Ondo State
Started Singing: Secondary School
Started Professional Career: FUTA
Instrument Played: Acoustic/Lead Guitar
Music Role Models and Inspiration: Boyz II Men, Michael Bolton, Bryan Adams, 112, New Edition, Jon Secada, Babyface, PM Dawn etc
Zeal Onyecheme
Age Mid-twenties
State of Origin: Delta State
Course Studied: Crop Production and Pest Management
Institution: Fed University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Ondo State
Started Singing: Secondary School
Started Professional Career: FUTA
Instrument Played: Conga
Music Role Models and Inspiration: Boyz II Men, Joe, Michael Bolton, Craig David
Tunde Akinsanmi
Age Mid-twenties
State of Origin: Ondo State
Course Studied: Agricultural Economics&Extension
Institution: Fed University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Ondo State
Started Singing: Secondary School
Started Professional Career: FUTA
Instrument Played: Keyboard/Piano
Music Role Models and Inspiration: Boyz II Men, Stevie Wonder, Maxwell, 112
Anthony Ukpong
State of Origin: Abia State
Course Studied: Architecture
Institution: Fed University of Technology Minna (FUTMx), Niger State
Started Professional Career: FUT Minna
Music Role Models and Inspiration:(GENERAL); Steven Spielberg, Steve Jobs, Donald Trump, (Musical); Puff Daddy, Jermaine Dupri, Wyclef jean
Joseph Ukpong
State of Origin: Abia State
Course Studied: Civil Engineering
Institution: Fed University of Technology Minna (FUTMx), Niger State
Started Professional Career: FUT Minna
Inspiration:(GENERAL); Steven Covey, Daniel Goleman, Morihei Ueshiba; (Musical); Enya Yanni, Neptunes