On Monday, 25 August 2025, le Yelam’s à Treichville hosted the presentation of the artistic residency by the female trio « Perles des Lagunes », composed of Jahelle Bonee, Ruth Tafebe, and Reine Ablaa. This residency, which commenced on 11 August, is part of the MASA Lab programme, an artistic incubation scheme led by the Marché des Arts et du Spectacle Africain (MASA)
, with financial backing from the French Embassy in Ivory Coast.
An Artistic Creation Under the Direction of Blick Bassy
Guided by Cameroonian singer and producer Blick Bassy, the three artists crafted an innovative stage proposal. This project combines afro-house, jazz, world music, and traditional Ivorian rhythms, aiming to promote African cultural heritage while delivering a universally appealing musical experience.
Reine Ablaa, who notably sings in Baoulé, explains:
“Our trio was born from the meeting of three different but complementary musical worlds. We worked on nine original tracks, three by each artist, which we arranged and performed together. We aim to proudly represent Ivory Coast in Morocco.
“
A Unique and Unifying Musical Experience
For Jahelle Bonee, this residency was “an exceptional experience”:
“We are three Ivorian women committed to our local languages, which we blend with French and English. Under Blick Bassy’s guidance, we succeeded in creating a common thread linking our three distinct styles.
“
Ruth Tafebe highlights the importance of identity and femininity in their collaboration:
“Together, we embody the strength, diversity, and creative spirit of Ivorian women. One of my ambitions is to explore the 60 languages of our country through my songs someday.
“
A Springboard to the International Stage
The « Perles des Lagunes » will showcase their creation in November 2025 at the international event, Visa For Music
, in Rabat, Morocco, from 20 to 22 November. This event will be a pivotal moment to gain international visibility for their work.
Abou Kamaté, General Director of MASA, emphasises the significance of this project:
“[Ivorian artists are bursting with talent, but often lack the support needed to turn this talent into export-ready products. Today, the entertainment market demands streamlined formats of impeccable quality. The translate:« Perles des Lagunes »
embody this vision perfectly.]”
Through this initiative, MASA reaffirms its commitment to nurturing a new generation of artists capable of engaging globally while remaining deeply rooted in their cultural heritage.
