9. Mdou Moctar – Tarhatzed
Niger guitar hero Mdou Moctar grew up in Arlit, a uranium mining town near the Algerian border. He made his first guitar out of bicycle brake cables, old wood, and the key from a sardine can – his family disapproved of electric music. His music became popular in sub-Saharan Africa through cellphone music trading networks, and he came to western attention when two of his songs appeared on the compilation Music from Saharan Cellphones: Volume 1. Moctar blends traditional desert music with western guitar heroes – like Jimi Hendrix, he plays a Stratocaster left-handed, while he starred in a low-budget Niger remake of Purple Rain.
‘Tarhatazed’ appeared on Moctar’s first record with a full band, 2019’s Ilana The Creator. He sings in Tamasheq, a Malian variant of Tuareg. but on ‘Tarhatzed’ his guitar is the primary communicator. It’s free-wheeling and psychedelic, dancing around the bluesy riff.
Mdou Moctar has plenty to say politically as well – in this year’s pointedly named Afrique Victime, he sings “Africa is a victim of so many crimes / If we stay silent it will be the end of us / My brothers and sisters, tell me why this is happening?“ But his guitar is even more fluent.
slicethelife 
You can tell he has passion for what he does. Good music and am appreciating your selections this draft.
Thanks for listening! I’ve been going for some niche stuff this draft.
The music out of Africa used to be more percussion driven. The stuff like this (which I have been listening to the last few years) is guitar driven. Good to my ear Aph.
Yup, often it’s a slightly different spin on guitar music too. Sounds fresh.
he does have that Jimi hendrix kind of sound with the guitar. You certainly are helping us broaden our musical horizons! How did he come to your attention?
He showed up on a few end-of-year lists in 2019 (and probably will this year too), and the folks at NPR love him.
I am immediately reminded of Eddie Van Halen (RIP). I hear Jimi and I also hear some Southern rock. I like it.
Good spotting on the Van Halen – he’s the other guitarist he cites as an influence, along with Prince and Hendrix.
I love this! Wow, what a gifted and electrifying guitarist Moctar is, especially given his humble beginnings. It’s thrilling when artists blend completely different styles and cultural elements into their music. Great find Graham.
Thanks for listening. I think he’s brilliant at synthesizing his local sounds with the music of his guitar heroes.
Needless to say I love the guitar. I’ve heard a few things by him…this is really cool. I’ll take guitar driven music any day.
Glad you enjoyed – he’s a pretty awe-inspiring guitarist.
He reminded me of Hendrix a bit.
I enjoyed this. His guitar really speaks. I’d love to see a picture of that first guitar he built. It’s great to have another instrumental in the draft, and a more recent one that I haven’t heard before.