Akabu Queens LIVE at The Sound Lounge for International Women's Day
Schedule
Sat, 08 Mar, 2025 at 07:00 pm
UTC+00:00Location
The Sound Lounge | Sutton, EN
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International Women's Day celebration with the world's first all-female reggae band!Akabu Queens: Pioneers of Female Reggae Music
Akabu Queens is a groundbreaking all-female reggae band that has been shaping the genre for over four decades. Originally formed in 1981 as African Woman by Diane White and sisters Shelomi and Paulette Coke, the group started as a drum, bass, and rhythm section. Over time, they expanded their members and their sound and their debut album, African Woman Abroad, was released in 1982.
In 1983, they made history as the first all-female band to perform at Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica, captivating audiences with their unique style and powerful stage presence. By 1986, the band underwent significant lineup changes which led to the birth of Akabu. Their album Warrior Queen (1995) was released on the famous On-U Sound label.
Inspired by reggae icons like The Wailers, Akabu Queens gained international recognition, touring across the globe and performing at prestigious events and venues such as Rebel Salute and Western Consciousness in Jamaica, JapanSplash, Live at the Apollo in Harlem, and Madison Square Garden. They shared the stage with legendary reggae artists, including Burning Spear, Gregory Isaacs, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Toots & The Maytals, Aswad, and Dennis Brown.
In 2000, they joined forces with female musicians from the South London-based band Abbakush, forming SISTA Women in Reggae, a collective dedicated to empowering women in the genre. Their musicianship and deep connection to reggae continued to set them apart, delivering powerful performances with a distinctive feminine energy.
In 2023, under their name Akabu Queens, they released the single Murderation, a hard-hitting track addressing youth violence, taken from their forthcoming EP. They kicked off the year with performances at Rebel Salute in Jamaica and Hootananny in London, followed by dynamic appearances at Afro Pfingsten Festival in Switzerland, CitySplash in London, and the One Heart Festival, a tribute to the Grenfell Fire victims. Their performance at the Greensleeves Blue Plaque unveiling in London celebrated reggae’s rich history.
The summer of 2023 saw Akabu Queens electrify crowds at major festivals, including Boomtown in England, No Logo Festival in France, Rototom in Spain, and Butetown Carnival in Wales, reaffirming their status as one of reggae’s most formidable live acts.
With a legacy of powerful performances and a commitment to spreading messages of love, reality, and empowerment, Akabu Queens continue to break barriers and inspire new generations of reggae musicians.
Akabu Queens:
Drums/Vocals: Barbara ‘Naps’ Grossett
Bass: Diane ‘Bassy D’ White
Guitar/Vocals: Valerie ‘Vybz’ Skeete
Keyboards: Caroline ‘Rhythm Queen’ Williams
Guest Vocalists & Musicians: Vocals: Makeda Moore and Rafeelya.
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Where is it happening?
The Sound Lounge, Sutton, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
