The Kalakuta Queens are some of the most colorful costumed beings the eye can behold.
Afrobeat queens are dancers and support vocalists, they are a major part of an Afrobeat ensemble at the Afrika Shrine, or any concert venue where afrobeat is performed live.
These women work closely with the lead vocalist as they ring back the message of the music and gyrate to the high heavens in the most coordinated form. They light up the show with elaborate makeup and dazzling colors, often embroidered with colorful beads that refract with the lights. Their dance motion is mesmerizing.
The Afrobeat Queens of today descend from the Kalakuta Queens of the Afrika 70 Band in the early ’70s. These pioneers danced and backed up the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti, were the striking picture of liberation and beauty of the African woman. They danced around the world with the maestro, giving a face to African woman in a way humanity saw for the first time.
Today, Femi Kuti’s Positive Force band delivers first class afrobeat to a huge followership worldwide with its home at the Afrika Shrine, that doubles as the host of the annual music festival, Felabration.
Kate Onome Otobrise, Jumoke Adigun and Anthonia Bernards are the elite dancers of the Positive Force Band, These ladies have at least 90 years of dancing experience between them. Week in week out, also on their frequent tours, they show the stuff legends are made of, hypnotizing onlookers as they throw it all out in a trancelike, exhilarating body movement that reflects the strength of a woman. They are the cream of the dance school school of Yeni Kuti, a veteran afrobeat pro dancer herself.
If dancers could be described in military terms, these ladies are generals, rocking at the pinnacle of their careers. They deserve our salute and all the adoration.
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