Portraits: Fela Kuti's Kalakuta Queens, Circa 2011

Photographer James Petrozzello's gorgeous portraits capture the strong beauty of the FELA! dancers paying tribute to the original Fela Queens. "I have long been a fan of Fela Kuti - the musician, the political figure, the icon," Petrozzello told Okayafrica. "The first time I saw his 'queens' I was struck by their radical style. I wanted to make these photos to pay homage to their beauty and to bring attention to the women who contributed so much to Fela's life."

FELA! has just returned from a triumphant "homecoming" in Lagos, and has upcoming dates in Amsterdam, England and in select US cities including Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

See images from the series below:

Models: Rujeko Dumbutshena, Catherine Foster, Abena Koomson, Jill Vallery, Shaneeka Harrell, Shakira Marshall, Lauren De Veaux, Oneika Phillips, Hettie Barnhill, Iris Wilson, Aimee Graham Wodobode.