GENUINE MOMENTS WITH STYLISH SINNER “My goal has always been...
GENUINE MOMENTS WITH STYLISH SINNER
“My goal has always been to show the world how liberating, genuine, and organic the underground rave scene in Lagos is.” – Stylish Sinner
Written by Kaosisochukwu Nkpolara
Because he possesses the rare gift of taking photographs that look like ethereal paintings, Bishop Ebuka Duke, popularly known as Stylish Sinner has been accused of being many things: a god, magician, and even a demon. The multi-disicplinary creative is a photographer, creative director, designer, stylist, and model but he has risen to the limelight because of his photography.
By mastering shutter speed manipulation, Stylish Sinner has distinguished himself as the best person to capture the mood, atmosphere, vibe, feeling, essence—whatever you want to call it—of any given rave. Through his lens, patterns map out across photographs, creating dreamy, blurry, and wispy brushstroke effects that will bring back fading memories of a time you never lived.
With Sylish, rave scenes look exactly how they feel. I am instantly transported to the heart of the rave. Vibrant strobe lights dance around the room and no matter where I am, I can still feel the bass reverberating through my chest. I’m completely intoxicated—one day my kidney and lungs will forgive me, but for today I only care to be wild, carefree, and lost in the moment. I look around. All I see is a blur of glistening, sweat-drenched bodies illuminated by streaks of neon light. Every body is stimulated to the point of thoughtless movement. Every movement feels like a fleeting glimpse of euphoria. I’d rather be nowhere else.
That’s the Stylish effect.
Who is Stylish Sinner?
How did your alias, “Stylish Sinner” come about? Can you share the story behind the name? What inspired it? And how does it connect to your persona?
I came up with that alias in my second year of university while studying Law. There was this strict black-and-white dress code for law students, but at the time, I was also experimenting with fashion styling and designing with my twin brother. My outfits often bent the rules—but only just enough to stay “stylish.”
Also, a sinner breaks the rules, right? So, technically, I was a law student testing the boundaries of the dress code, while still doing my own thing. Over the years, that mindset stuck. And when I transitioned into photography and filmmaking, I kept breaking rules.
Tell me a bit about your background. Where did you grow up? What were some formative experiences that shaped you as a person and an artist?
I grew up on both sides of Lagos. I lived the first 14 years of my life in Egbeda before we moved to Yaba. Primary school was in Ikeja, high school in Ikoyi, and university in Yaba.
Back in high school, prize-giving days were predictable—my twin brother would get Best in Visual Arts, and I’d get Best in Literature in English. It has always been clear art is in our DNA. However, it wasn’t until I graduated from UNILAG that I decided to take art seriously as my career.
One defining moment for me was getting arrested at Eko Atlantic by EFCC in 2021 for a car race. That experience really changed how I felt about always being on social media. I genuinely believe I haven’t been the same person since then.
Finding Himself, His Technique, and His Value
Your photography has a distinct style. How did you discover and develop this unique approach? I’m thinking experimentation—am I wrong?
You’re spot on! It was a lot of experimentation. I started learning the basics of photography with help from my friends @lasalvy and @blvckcreed, and before I got the vision to switch things up, I was already a decent photographer. I used to post my work under the alias @papafromthestation on Instagram.
By early 2020, I’d started playing with new aesthetics, doing behind-the-scenes shoots and studio photography. Then COVID hit, and I couldn’t shoot new stuff, so I just re-edited old pictures and posted them. Tbh, that phase was so funny because I was literally editing the pictures on my phone. Post-COVID, I was out and about, shooting everything and anything. For the next year, I combined slow shutter and long exposure shooting techniques with VFX editing. At one point, I’d edit up to 200 images from a single look.
Eventually, I dropped the extra effects because I’d mastered capturing the effects I wanted on-camera—all I needed to do afterwards was color grade. So yeah, a lot of trial and error but it’s definitely no fluke.
You’ve mentioned that 2020 was the year you found yourself, and 2021 was the year you found value in yourself. Can you walk us through what life looked like for you before 2020? How have those realizations shaped your journey since then?
Before 2020, I formed most of the connections and relationships I have currently. I was fresh out of university, and all I wanted was to create with my friends. So, this was my “Jack-of-all-trades” phase. I was dabbling in everything creative including styling, dancing, modeling, and cinematography. But by the beginning of 2020, I became more intentional about where I was investing my energy and started focusing more on photography.
Your earlier work often captured everyday life, social justice, and cultural narratives. Now, you mostly photograph celebrities, individuals, raves, and concerts. What influenced your pivot into your current subject matters?
Tbh, it’s not really a pivot. Even when I was posting as @papafromthestation, I was also photographing music artists and everyday people. The thing is, because of my surroundings and my love for music, over time, I naturally leaned more into documenting the music scene. But I still see myself returning to those earlier narratives at some point—I just need to find the right balance.
As a photographer capturing such a dynamic and unconventional scene, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
So many challenges; where do I start? Although the rave scene is not the first music-related scene I’ve documented, it has the most depth and authenticity. When I started documenting these scenes, I was more concerned about capturing raw and unpolished emotions rather than who I was photographing. Now, it’s a full-blown industry with pretentious celebrity culture woven in.
My goal has always been to show the world how liberating, genuine, and organic the underground rave scene in Lagos is. It’s never been about money for me, which is why I’ve stuck around despite losing cameras and having my work stolen and used for profit without permission. All I can say is regardless of the setbacks, my community has been there every step of the way, and I’m forever grateful.
Describe your proudest moment as a photographer.
Definitely has to be having my work featured on international platforms like CNN and GOAT for covering the #EndSARS protests and the Lagos rave scene.
Life and Times
How are you doing mentally? Are you satisfied with your life? Would you change anything?
Mentally, I’m already in 2025. There’s so much noise now that if you’re not careful, it will consume you and make you lose sight of what matters most to you. I’m grateful for the life I have, but I’m definitely far from satisfied. My life feels like a series of chapters, and I’m hoping 2025 opens one where I can focus more on myself and my art.
What’s the most important thing to you currently?
Doing the work that needs to be done.
What’s your biggest fear?
Being in a position where I have no choice but to sell out on my values.
Playtime with Stylish
How do you unwind?
A lot of house music and trips to Tarkwa Bay.
What’s something most people don’t know about you? Shock us!
I studied Law for three years and Political Science for another two. Maybe that’s why I was so hopeful for Nigeria until the last election cycle.
Have you and your twin ever switched places for fun?
No need to switch places when half of Lagos does that for us already.
What’s one thing people do in front of the camera that makes you roll your eyes?
Nothing really. However you feel and whatever you do in front of the camera is valid. My job is simply to observe and document.
What are you currently listening to?
I’ve been listening to a ton of unreleased music from CODENAME:KND.
What’s next for Stylish?
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects? I saw you spinning tracks on your story with your twin the other day, is there some exciting news we should anticipate? Are we getting a collab with Codename:KND?
I may or may not be B2Bing with Codename this December. We’re also working on the visuals for his debut EP. Let’s just say…see you soon.
WORKS
