An oral history with the Black women in music of Parliament-Funkadelic, from forming the band to landing the mothership.
Parliament-Funkadelic is perhaps the greatest funk band ever assembled. Yet at the time of the group’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, none of the women who helped create the sound and performed in P-Funk were invited to the ceremony, and their contributions have been largely overlooked.
Mothership Connected tells the story of Mallia Franklin, Lynn Mabry, Dawn Silva, Debbie Wright, and Shirley Hayden, all of whom were instrumental in making Parliament-Funkadelic, as well as the spin-off groups Parlet and the Brides of Funkenstein, into the legends they are today. Assembled by Seth Neblett, author and son of the “Queen of Funk” Mallia Franklin, and filled with the voices of funk icons like George Clinton, Sly Stone, Bootsy Collins, and the women themselves, this oral history makes clear why these “architects” at the “core” of P-Funk were both essential—and erased. From Franklin introducing Bootsy Collins to Clinton, to the Brides’ top-10 hit “Disco to Go,” to the drugs that helped destroy the group, this book reveals the hidden lives and uncomfortable truths of life in P-Funk. More than sex, drugs, and rock and roll, Mothership Connected is about Black women navigating a tumultuous era and industry to become musical pioneers.
Now, after decades in the shadows, these genre-defining women are finally telling their story.
Mothership Connected is an absolute triumph. This pathbreaking exploration of Parliament-Funkadelic history offers an alternative narrative of funk and rock, revealing the bold contributions of Black women in music who played pivotal roles in shaping the P-Funk sound. Seth Neblett, the author and son of legendary P-Funk singer Mallia Franklin, has produced a work of pop music history that is thrilling and riveting, both illuminating and occasionally heartbreaking. As a candid oral history, this book weaves together voices from iconic figures to the unsung sisters whose names deserve recognition—those who bravely navigated the highs and lows of a recording industry steeped in intersectional inequalities. Readers of Mothership Connected will gain a profound appreciation for the electrifying artistry and relentless efforts of these women. An absolute revelation. ~Daphne A. Brooks, Yale University, author of Liner Notes for the Revolution: The Intellectual Life of Black Feminist Sound.
Seth Neblett tells the tale of the women of Parliament-Funkadelic in the only way a funk-tale can be told: raw, real, and in the pocket. This insider’s account sheds light on the female funk that has always been integral to the P-Funk Experience. Throughout, Mothership Connected honors the power these women wielded and the immense pressures they faced as foot soldiers in the P-Funk Army. ~Rickey Vincent, author of Funk: The Music, The People, and the Rhythm of The One.
I wasn't just a fan of Parlet, The Brides, and the P-Funk family; I read about them, studied their music, and knew all the players. This book reveals that there's so much more to the story—including triumphs, setbacks, rebounds, and grand achievements—showing how we all confront challenges in life and the importance of resilience. I've been waiting for this book for a long time. ~George Tillman Jr., director and writer, Soul Food.
[An] essential oral history of the female P-Funkateers… Pieced together with firsthand testimony from Mallia Franklin, Lynn Mabry, Dawn Silva, Debbie Wright, and Shirley Hayden, as well as George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and Sly Stone, it’s utterly engrossing with tales of sex, drugs, internecine rivalry, and music-making… Ultimately, this is a celebratory tale about righting creative misattribution. ~MOJO.
Through captivating interviews with the women of Parliament-Funkadelic and icons like George Clinton, Sly Stone, and Bootsy Collins, Seth Neblett has compiled an incredible archive filled with strength, humor, and, of course, funk. ~Ms. Magazine.
Mothership Connected offers a fascinating, firsthand look inside the mothership that was Parliament Funkadelic and stands as one of the best music books of the year. ~Rock 'n' Roll Grad School.
Drawing from firsthand accounts and reflections from figures like George Clinton, Sly Stone, and Bootsy Collins, Neblett presents a clear-eyed and compassionate portrait of creativity, ambition, and survival. The narrative delves into artistry, industry power dynamics, and the realities faced by Black women in music during a turbulent era, celebrating their musical brilliance and cultural impact. Mothership Connected serves as both a historical correction and a powerful celebration, providing insight, recognition, and lasting resonance for funk fans and music readers alike. ~That Eric Alper.
Seth Neblett, a notable author known for his insights into the music industry, has penned the critically acclaimed book Mothership Connected: The Women of Parliament-Funkadelic (September 2025, University of Texas Press), which highlights the significant contributions of Black women in music.
In addition to his success with Mothership Connected, Seth has served as Creative Director and merchandise strategy lead for Chaka Khan Enterprises, further emphasizing his role in showcasing the Parliament-Funkadelic history.
Seth has also directed music videos for Chaka (“I Love Myself”), as well as Miki Howard, Vesta Williams, and Jill Jones, reinforcing his influence in the music scene.
Moreover, Seth has served as artist/road manager for Klymaxx featuring Bernadette Cooper, Az-Yet, and Original Mary Jane Girls- Maxi & Cheri, demonstrating his versatility in the industry.
Seth co-hosts Apollonia Studio 6 with Apollonia Kotero from the film Purple Rain, a cultural and celebrity-focused podcast platform on YouTube that has amassed nearly a million cumulative views, further enriching the dialogue around the legacy of Black women in music.