Watch: Mdou Moctar – “Afrique Victime: The Documentary”
DECEMBER 2020
The global pandemic trapped Mdou Moctar and his band in their home country of Niger. They could not leave to promote their upcoming album, Afrique Victime. Instead, American bassist Mikey Coltun flew to Niger, carrying cameras and recording equipment. Shortly after Mikey arrived, it became clear that it was too dangerous to travel within Niger due to the presence of guerrilla groups such as Boko Haram, which have come to prominence in the country’s power vacuum. So Mdou, Mikey, Ahmoudou and Souleyman met in Niamey, the capital. It was their first time together as a band since they played over 200 concerts worldwide in 2019.
Today, Mdou Moctar releases Afrique Victime – The Documentary. The 10-minute short film offers an intimate glimpse into Moctar and his band – rhythm guitarist Ahmoudou Madassane, drummer Souleymane Ibrahim and American bassist and producer Mikey Coltun – as they prepare for the release of their critically acclaimed latest album Afrique Victime in Niamey, Niger. Navigating complex world and regional geo-political circumstances, the film touches on the environment, inspiration, stories, challenges and singular musical and personal alchemy behind one of today’s most electrifying and trailblazing groups.
Moctar was last seen wowing US audiences throughout the band’s nearly entirely sold out North American tour dates. “Draped in traditional Tuareg garments that were white and turquoise, Moctar shredded, tapped and slid up and down the neck of his left-handed Strat in ways that would’ve made the late Eddie Van Halen proud”, said the Nashville Scene. “Watching him absolutely shred in person is always a treat”, noted the Boston Globe
Mdou Moctar will be arriving in the UK and Europe in spring 22 for a run of shows, with the London venue upgraded from Oslo to EartH Theatre due to demand. A full list of upcoming dates can be found below.
Mdou recently teamed up Kenya-born/Uganda-based rapper, MC Yallah (Nyege Nyege Tapes) and Debmaster for the first in a series of Afrique Victime remixes by African artists curated by the band. “It introduces a contemporary club music vibe to Moctar’s thrilling and often gorgeous desert blues sound, the kind of rework that feels more like a cultural fusion than a simple remix”, said Resident Advisor. More tracks and info from the series are to follow. Listen HERE.
Released in June, Mdou Moctar’s Afrique Victime was met with widespread critical acclaim, receiving a Best New Music nod from Pitchfork and favorable reviews from the likes of MOJO, Uncut, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, DJ Mag, The Wire and many others. The album charted across several categories in the US including #2 Top New Artist (Albums), #10 Current Rock, #11 Record Label Independent (Albums), and shows no signs of slowing down as North American tour dates continue to sell out, with further dates being added. The album has amassed over 2.7 million global streams to date. It has received several “Best of 2021 So Far” nods so far, including from Rolling Stone, The Guardian, Paste and others.
Listen to “Tala Tannam” (Debmaster Remix) ft. MC Yallah HERE
Listen to Resident Advisor mix HERE
Watch Mdou Moctar – Live in Niamey Niger HERE
AFRIQUE VICTIME
- Chismiten
- Taliat
- Ya Habibti
- Tala Tannam
- Untitled
- Asdikte Akal
- Layla
- Afrique Victime
- Bismilahi Atagah
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