2025 Week 47 Man Crush Monday - Tolu Obanro (Tyanx)

This week, our Man Crush Monday is the exceptional maestro and sonic architect of Nollywood: Tolu Obanro, fondly known in the industry as Tyanx. While actors and directors often take center stage, Tolu Obanro is one of the pivotal figures working behind the scenes, ensuring that the stories we watch don't just look beautiful, but sound and feel unforgettable.

Tyanx is more than just a music composer; he is a master sound designer whose intricate scores are the emotional compass for some of the biggest films coming out of Africa. He doesn't just create sound; he sculpts it meticulously, translating a director's vision into deep, compelling auditory experiences.

From Oil & Gas to The Billion-Naira Score

Obanro's journey is a powerful testimony to following one's passion. After earning a degree in Geology and briefly working in the oil and gas industry, he made the audacious pivot to music, grounding his early career in gospel production before finding his true calling in film scoring.

Since his first feature film, Your Excellency (2019), Tolu Obanro has rapidly become an indispensable creative partner for Nollywood’s elite. His consistency and technical brilliance have elevated the industry’s sound design to global standards.

The Sound of Success

His score is woven into the DNA of nearly every recent box office and streaming success. Tolu Obanro’s filmography showcases his versatility across genres, from historical epics to hard-hitting crime thrillers.

His major works include:

A Tribe Called Judah (2023) — The groundbreaking film that became the first Nollywood movie to hit the ₦1 billion mark at the box office.

Gangs of Lagos (2023)

Jagun Jagun (2023)

Battle on Buka Street (2022)

King of Thieves (Agesinkole) (2022)

King of Boys: The Return of the King (2021)

He has been the trusted ear for visionary filmmakers like Funke Akindele, Jade Osiberu, and Niyi Akinmolayan, consistently delivering clean mixes and emotionally resonant soundscapes.

The Maestro's Accolades

Tolu Obanro’s artistry has earned him well-deserved recognition, solidifying his place among the industry's elite. After multiple nominations, he finally clinched the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) for Best Music/Score in 2025 for his emotive work on the series Seven Doors. He also won the prestigious Nigerians Achievers Award in 2022.

We celebrate Tolu Obanro not just for the awards, but for the invisible magic he brings to every project. He is proof that when talent meets purpose, the results are nothing short of extraordinary. He is the sound storyteller whose compositions ensure that African stories resonate, echo, and linger long after the credits roll.