On the evening of Thursday 15 October, the lights went down in the Majestic cinema of the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire, in Cocody. On screen came first a documentary on Roseline Layo's career, then, as an exclusive, the video for 'Dia'. That was how the Ivorian singer, from the Montagnes region, introduced 'Divas', her third album.

The record holds 11 tracks and is due on 27 November 2026. Its premise is in its title: eight women artists join her, from six countries in all — Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Mali, Guinea, Senegal and France. The guests are Angélique Kidjo, Fatoumata Diawara, Oumou Sangaré, Reine Pélagie, Aïcha Koné, Kany, Djelikaba Bintou and Mia Guissé.

Several pairings are already known. Aïcha Koné sings on 'Conseil de mère', Reine Pélagie on 'Unissons-nous', Oumou Sangaré on 'Mousso' and Angélique Kidjo on 'On sera là'. Two generations meet here, and the gathering itself is a statement.

The songs speak of motherhood, friendship, love and solidarity between women, of women's place in the home and in society, and against violence done to them. They are sung in Yacouba, Gouro, Bété, Bambara, Malinké, Wolof and French: a map of West Africa drawn in languages rather than borders.

According to Abidjan.net, the album was recorded in about a month. Culture and Francophonie minister Françoise Remarck and Interior minister Vagondo Diomandé attended the launch.

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