News
Vanessa Wruble
May. 02, 2011 05:35PM EST

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." (Portraits of the original queens can be found here.)

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:

Hettie and Shakira. Photo by James Petrozzello.

Rujeko. Photo by James Petrozzello.

Oneika. Photo by James Petrozzello.

Catherine. Photo by James Petrozzello.

Shakira. Photo by James Petrozzello.

Lauren. Photo by James Petrozzello.

Iris. Photo by James Petrozzello.

Aimee. Photo by James Petrozzello.

Abena. Photo by James Petrozzello.

Jill. Photo by James Petrozzello.

Rujeko. Photo by James Petrozzello.

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.

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Images via Getty

Burna Boy, Angelique Kidjo, Trevor Noah & More Earn 2020 Grammy Nominations

Wizkid, Shatta Wale and more were nominated for their work on Beyoncé's 'Lion King: The Gift' while Mr Eazi earned a nod for his contribution to Bad Bunny and J Balvin's 'Oasis.'

The 2020 Grammy nominations have just been announced, and it looks to be a standout year for African artist.

Burna Boy has earned his first-ever nomination in the (albeit dubious) 'Best World Music' category for his celebrated album African Giant. Speaking with Grammy.com about the vision for the album back in August, the artist said: My vision is just to...shine a light on a place and on people and a situation and everything that there hasn't been a light on for a long time."

In that same category is three-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo for her album Celia, which pays homage to the late Afro-Cuban legend Celia Cruz. Burna and Kidjo worked together on the track "Different" from African Giant.

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Mr Eazi & Tyga in "Tony Montana" (Youtube)

Watch Mr Eazi & Tyga's New Music Video For 'Tony Montana'

"It's an announcement of my transition from Mr Eazi to Don Eazi."

Mr Eazi comes through with a major link up in his new single and music video for "Tony Montana," featuring Tyga.

The addictive new single is lead by Eazi's allusions to feeling like Scarface over a smooth Killertunes beat. Tyga comes in to deliver the second verse, but Eazi's catchy hook is the highlight here.

"The energy of the record defines where I am right now in my head. It's like an announcement of my transition from Mr Eazi to Don Eazi. Once Killertunes (the song's producer) sent the record, it was an instant connection," Mr Eazi mentions.

Video: Mr Eazi on how he's helping young African artists grow with emPawa

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Still from RTN TV's YouTube page.

Prominent Somali Activist Almaas Elman Shot and Killed In Mogadhisu

The organizer and sister of Nobel Peace Prize-nominated activist Ilwad Elman, was shot dead while riding in a car on Wednesday.

Almaas Elman, a prominent Somali rights activist and organizer was killed today in Mogadishu. She died after being hit by a bullet while riding inside of a car in the Halane compound, reports the Somali news site Hiiraan.

Though details surrounding her death remain uncertain, according to security on the ground Elman "was riding in a car along a road inside the airport," Mohamed Omar, a Somali security official told News 24. "A stray bullet hit her, and she died within a few minutes." The complex is also the headquarters of African Union soldiers.

She was believed to been heading to the airport after attending a meeting at the Elman Peace Centre, which was founded by her father, the respected Somali activist Elman Ali Ahmed, who was assasinated in Mogadishu in 1996.

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Simi in "Selense" (Youtube)

The 11 Songs You Need to Hear This Week

Featuring Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Kwesta x Rich Homie Quan, Simi, Teni, Khuli Chana, Mr Eazi x Tyga and more

Every week, we highlight the cream of the crop in music through our Best Music of the Week column.

Here's our round up of the best tracks and music videos that came across our desks, which you can also check out in our Songs You Need to Hear This Week playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.

Follow our SONGS YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS WEEK playlist on Spotify here and Apple Music here.

Check out all of OkayAfrica's new playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.

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