Portraits: Fela Kuti's Kalakuta Queens, Circa 2011

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:

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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