Fela Kuti: Fear No Man 6: The Queens
Nov 5, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Dotun Ayobade, an assistant professor known for his research on Fela's Queens, joins Laide and Chinieri, former members of Fela Kuti's Kalakuta commune. They dive into the complexities of life in the commune, revealing how the queens shaped Afrobeat's sound and stage presence. Laide and Chinieri share their motivations for joining, the blend of liberation and oppression they experienced, and the challenges faced, including violence and political strife, all while asserting their autonomy and artistic contributions.
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Women Shaped Afrobeat's Sound
- Fela locked in a signature sound by pairing gruff scat singing with crisp female vocals to sustain the groove.
- Dotun argues that Afrobeat's sonic identity depended on the women's vocal interplay and never left it.
The 27 Wives Mass Marriage
- Laide arranged a meeting and introduced herself as one of Fela's queens and called him her husband after his mass wedding stunt.
- The 1978 mass marriage made the singers and dancers publicly Fela's "wives" and cemented the queens' status.
Performing On The Shrine 'Cages'
- Queens performed on raised "cages" at the Shrine and earned money from fans who sprayed cash while they danced.
- Lara and Chinieri recall intense audience response and the thrill of performing those routines nightly.