Watch “Saharan Hendrix” Mdou Moctar’s Astounding Live Performance on KEXP

 Mdou Moctar performs at Saturn Birmingham on March 03, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama.
Mdou Moctar performs in Birmingham, Alabama. March 2022 (Image credit: David A. Smith/Getty Images)

Electric guitar virtuoso Mdou Moctar was 17 when he decided he was going to somehow acquire his own ax. But with guitars in impossibly short supply in his native Niger, the young hopeful set about his quest by building the instrument himself.

With very little in the way of instructions, Moctar constructed his first acoustic guitar from reclaimed wood and metal parts, including brake cables and the key from a sardine can.

Talk about improvisation!

Mdou Moctar 'Afrique Victime' album artwork

Released in May 2021, Afrique Victime is Mdou Moctar's most recent album. A deluxe digital edition was made available by Matador Records last month. (Image credit: Matador Records)

Fast forward to now and Mdou Moctar is one of the most exciting talents in the contemporary guitar world.  

His dazzling display of technique, unique feel and adventurous composition has enthralled audiences across the globe. 

Indeed, Moctar is currently on tour in the U.S. while riding high on the back of his latest release, last year’s Afrique Victime.

Mdou Moctar tour promo

(Image credit: Matador Records)

Last month, Matador Records released a deluxe digital edition of Afrique Victime that includes nine previously unreleased songs comprising demos and live tracks curated from tour recordings.

Also included is the incredible “Nakanegh Dich."

Recorded in Los Angeles with producer Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith) during the Afrique Victime album sessions, this was Moctar’s very first time using a wah pedal.

“At some point, Mdou called Rob into the studio and asked him to control the wah with his foot while Mdou shredded a solo,” explains bassist and producer, Mikey Coltun.

Mdou Moctar performs at Saturn Birmingham on March 03, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Mdou Moctar performs in Birmingham, Alabama. March 2022 (Image credit: David A. Smith/Getty Images)

In this amazing clip from 2018, Moctar’s singular talent can be witnessed up close as he performs the track “Tarhatazed” live on KEXP.

While Moctar is known to have been influenced by Prince and Hendrix, his introduction to Eddie Van Halen came more recently during a U.S. tour when he saw an old video of the late guitarist performing.

“After seeing him, I developed my own tapping style,” said Moctar.

Get Afrique Victime here.

Rod Brakes

Rod Brakes is a music journalist with an expertise in guitars. Having spent many years at the coalface as a guitar dealer and tech, Rod's more recent work as a writer covering artists, industry pros and gear includes contributions for leading publications and websites such as GuitaristTotal Guitar, Guitar WorldGuitar Player and MusicRadar in addition to specialist music books, blogs and social media. He is also a lifelong musician.