{{Short description|2021 album by Mdou Moctar}} {{good article}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Infobox album | name = Afrique Victime | type = studio | artist = Mdou Moctar | cover = Mdou Moctar - Afrique Victime.png | alt = A pied crow flying over a purple outline of Africa, which morphs into a woman's face at the south end of the continent | released = {{Start date|2021|05|21|df=yes}} | recorded = <!-- Recorded is for dates/years, not places --> | studio = Multiple places<ref name=":1" /> | genre = * Rock * blues * assouf <!-- Please source genres -->| length = 41:23 | label = Matador | producer = Michael Coltun | prev_title = Ilana: The Creator | prev_year = 2019 | next_title = Funeral for Justice | next_year = 2024 | misc = }}
'''''Afrique Victime''''' is the 2021 studio album by the Tuareg musician Mdou Moctar and his first on Matador Records. The album, which was released on 21 May 2021, is sung almost entirely in Tamasheq and some parts in French. Its lyrics concern sexism, war crimes, and colonialism.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Yoo |first=Noah |title=Mdou Moctar: "Afrique Victime" |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime/ |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Pitchfork |archive-date=2024-07-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708164812/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The album contains acoustic-rock music with some hints of local desert blues. Moctar and his band worked on ''Afrique Victime'' while he was touring for his 2019 album ''Ilana: The Creator'', recording in studios and other places. To promote ''Afrique Victime'', the band went on tour in 2022 and released a companion documentary about the creation of the album, showing the difficulties the band members faced by living on two continents—Africa and North America.<ref name=":9" />
''Afrique Victime'' incorporates local Saharan takamba music. The songs contain desert-like textures, with some fast-paced songs and some slow-paced songs. Most of the slow-paced songs were based on the subject of love. Other than desert-like textures, the songs have group harmonies, repeated riffs, and some incorporation from Jimi Hendrix's music. Just after the release, two other albums were released based on ''Afrique Victime'', the deluxe edition and ''Afrique Refait'', ''Afrique Refait'' contains remixes of the original songs and the Deluxe Edition contains an unreleased song, titled ''Nakanegh Dich''.
''Afrique Victime'' received positive reviews from international publications, several of which listed it as one of the best albums of 2021. The album was an important breakthrough for Moctar's career, according to ''Spin'' magazine.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leorne |first=Ana |date=3 May 2024 |title=Mdou Moctar's Electrifying Funeral For Justice |url=https://www.spin.com/2024/05/mdou-moctar-funeral-for-justice-review/ |access-date=20 July 2024 |website=Spin.com}}</ref> The album also gained international recognition, with multiple music publications placing it in their end-of-year lists. Some music publications compared the song to Jimi Hendrix's works, while others noted the fast-paced music and political lyrics.
== Background and production == thumb|Mdou Moctar performing ''Afrique Victime''
In 2019, after multiple meetings, Mdou Moctar vacated his recording contract with the record label Sahel Sounds;{{cn|date=March 2025}} he signed with Matador Records.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boilen |first=Bob |date=21 March 2019 |title=First Listen: Mdou Moctar, 'Ilana (The Creator)' |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/03/21/704818917/first-listen-mdou-moctar-ilana-the-creator |website=NPR}}</ref> ''Afrique Victime'' was his first album with the label.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/persons-of-interest/mdou-moctars-guitar-bending-cry-for-justice |title=Mdou Moctar's Guitar-Bending Cry for Justice |first=Hanif |last=Abdurraqib |date=21 July 2024 |access-date=12 September 2024 |newspaper=The New Yorker}}</ref> It was recorded in Niamey, Niger.<ref name=":1" /> The album's genre is ''assouf'' ("desert blues").<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Matos |first=Michaelangelo |title=Mdou Moctar: "Afrique Victime" |url=https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/night-life/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime |access-date=12 September 2024 |magazine=The New Yorker}}</ref> Compared to Moctar's previous work, it features more African fusion than blues.<ref name=":25">{{Cite web |last=Sentz |first=Tim |date=2021-05-21 |title=Album Review: Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime |url=https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-mdou-moctar-afrique-victime/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Beats Per Minute }}</ref> Moctar sings mostly in the Tamasheq language, with some parts in French.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://relix.com/reviews/detail/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime/|title= Mdou Moctar: Afrique Victime|last= Ayers|first= Mike|date= 2021-07-02|website= Relix|access-date= 2021-12-09|quote= "Aside from a bit of French in spots, the songs are all sung in Tamasheq ..."|archive-date= 2024-07-08|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240708164826/https://relix.com/reviews/detail/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime/|url-status= live}}</ref>
During Moctar's tour for his earlier album ''Ilana (The Creator)'', he started recording ''Afrique Victime'' during small breaks in the tour. ''Afrique Victime'' was made in several studios.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mdou Moctar previews new album with title-track "Afrique Victime" |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/mdou-moctar-previews-new-album-with-title-track-afrique-victime |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=The Line of Best Fit}}</ref> Moctar told ''Reverb'' he is reluctant to spend excessive time in a studio so the band recorded the album in intervals over a few weeks. According to Moctar, studios worsen the listening experience because there is a person manipulating the recordings.<ref name=":27">{{Cite web |last=Gorham |first=Luke |date=2021-06-18 |title=Mdou Moctar, ''Afrique Victime'' |url=https://inreviewonline.com/2021/06/18/afrique-victime/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=In Review Online}}</ref> ''Afrique Victime'' is Moctar's first album using studio equipment and professional sound engineers. Bass guitarist Mikey Coltun stated the band recorded the songs in one take.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Millevoi |first=Nick |date=14 May 2021 |title=Mdou Moctar on the Recording and Meaning of "Afrique Victime" |url=https://reverb.com/news/mdou-moctar-on-the-recording-and-meaning-of-afrique-victime |access-date=9 June 2024 |website=reverb.com}}</ref> Other than politics, Moctar based the album on his environment.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |last=Pilley |first=Max |title=Desert Blues: Mdou Moctar on Afrique Victime - The Skinny |url=https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/interviews/mdou-moctar-interview-afrique-victime |date=2021-05-20 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=www.theskinny.co.uk }}</ref> The songs were recorded in a variety of locations, including backstage spaces.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Album of the week: Afrique Victime |publisher=Melbourne Independent Radio |url=https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/album-of-the-week/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime |access-date=2024-07-21 }}</ref><ref name=":29">{{Cite web |last=Saunders |first=Hillary |title=Mdou Moctar's Virtuosic and Thoughtful 'Afrique Victime' |url=https://www.nodepression.com/album-reviews/mdou-moctars-virtuosic-and-thoughtful-afrique-victime/ |date=2021-05-22 |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=No Depression}}</ref>
== Release == thumb|upright=0.7|Mdou Moctar performing ''Afrique Victime'' at the 2022 Pori Jazz Festival in Pori, Finland.
''Afrique Victime'' was released on 21 May 2021 on Matador Records, an American independent label.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Sodomsky |first=Sam |title=Mdou Moctar: ''Afrique Victime'' |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418172157/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime/ |archive-date=2024-04-18 |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Pitchfork }}</ref> The album was released in digital, vinyl, and CD versions.<ref name=":24">{{Cite web |author=Kelsey |title=Album of the Week: Mdou Moctar, ''Afrique Victime'' |url=https://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2021/06/28/album-of-the-week-mdou-moctar-afrique-victime |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=The Current }}</ref> In homage to Moctar's first albums, which listeners shared on phones using Bluetooth, he released a collector's-edition Nokia 6120 classic handset with ''Afrique Victime'' loaded on it.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Scarlett |first=Liz |date=2021-04-01 |title=Mdou Moctar unveils the mind-melting title track from upcoming album Afrique Victime |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/mdou-moctar-unveils-the-mind-melting-title-track-from-upcoming-album-afrique-victime |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=louder}}</ref><ref name="The Guardian review" />
Following the release, Moctar announced a 2022 tour, performing in the United States, Canada, England, Germany, France, Sweden, and other countries. The tour started on 27 February in North Carolina, US, and ended on 6 August in Poland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corcoran |first=Nina |date=2021-11-11 |title=Mdou Moctar Announces 2022 Tour, Releases Live at the Niger River Live Set |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/mdou-moctar-announces-2022-tour-releases-live-at-the-niger-river-live-set-watch/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Pitchfork}}</ref>
=== Documentary === In September 2021, Matador Records released a 10-minute documentary about the creation of ''Afrique Victime.''<ref name=":7">{{cite web|url= https://pitchfork.com/news/mdou-moctar-releases-afrique-victime-documentary-watch/|title= Mdou Moctar Releases Afrique Victime Documentary: Watch|last= Minsker|first= Evan|date= 2021-09-16|publisher= Pitchfork|access-date= 2021-12-09|archive-date= 2024-07-08|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240708164701/https://pitchfork.com/news/mdou-moctar-releases-afrique-victime-documentary-watch/|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last=Kahn |first=Andy |title=Mdou Moctar Shares 'Afrique Victime: The Documentary' |url=https://www.jambase.com/article/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-documentary |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=JamBase }}</ref> It was mainly shot by bassist Mikey Coltun, who had travelled to Niger to record the album.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Arnone |first=Joey |date=16 September 2021 |title=Mdou Moctar Shares New "Afrique Victime" Documentary |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/mdou_moctar_shares_new_afrique_victime_documentary |access-date=16 July 2024 |website=Under the Radar Mag}}</ref> It shows the political events in Niger, including guerilla factions, which had prevented the band from touring. Moctar stated:<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |date=2021-09-23 |title=Mdou Moctar releases documentary focusing on his album, Afrique Victime |url=https://pan-african-music.com/en/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-the-documentary/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=PAM - Pan African Music }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Richmond |first=Ben |title=Mdou Moctar Releases ''Afrique Victime'' Mini-Doc |url=https://afropop.org/articles/mdou-moctar-releases-afrique-victime-mini-doc |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=Afropop Worldwide}}</ref>
{{blockquote|Many things are getting worse and it’s accelerating. Today, there are armed terrorists on motorbikes who are robbing people. A few weeks ago, they killed 213 people in villages, including young children, women, elderly people: ... I can't say all that in a song, that's why I'm looking for the kind of interview we have together today to get these messages across, that's what pushed me to make this album.<ref name=":16" />}}
The documentary shows the band's experience of being trapped during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coltun is shown interviewing the other band members about their expertise in music.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Droke |first=Carolyn |date=2021-09-16 |title=Mdou Moctar Releases Their Captivating 'Afrique Victime' Documentary |url=https://uproxx.com/music/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-documentary/ |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=UPROXX }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=<!--Treble staff--> |date=2021-09-16 |title=Watch Mdou Moctar's 'Afrique Victime: The Documentary' |url=https://www.treblezine.com/watch-the-new-mdou-moctar-film-afrique-victime-the-documentary/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Treble }}</ref>
== Political context == ''Afrique Victime'' talks about political issues, including war crimes and sexism.<ref name=":1" /> Moctar talks about political violence in his home country Niger, and problems and murder caused by motorcycle gangs. In the title song, Moctar hints at the history of Africa and colonialism.<ref name=":0" /> Moctar stated: <blockquote>''Afrique Victime'' is a message to all of the countries with money and power who come into Africa and kill the leaders who try to empower the people and lead revolutions. This pushes the area into danger and instability and emboldens the terrorists, and it’s the people who suffer and have no justice.<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":30" /></blockquote>
The album discusses the exploitation of Africa, including the Nigerien mining plunder and French imperialism.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Szatan |first=Gabriel |date=2021-05-13 |title=Mdou Moctar: the shred star of the Sahara |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/52767/1/mdou-moctar-the-shred-star-of-the-sahara-afrique-victime-matador-interview |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Dazed }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Höhne |first=Josh |date=2021-05-30 |title=Ecstatic Sufi Nationalism on Mdou Moctar's Afrique Victime - Honi Soit |url=https://honisoit.com/2021/05/ecstatic-sufi-nationalism-on-mdou-moctars-afrique-victime/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Honi Soit }}</ref> In an interview with the lifestyle magazine ''Dazed'', Moctar said: "The US can kill people from the sky now, but pilots can’t eliminate 4,000 terrorists living in our desert? How can the influence of ''52 countries'' not resolve that issue? How!"<ref name=":22" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=H |first=Rob |date=2021-04-01 |title=Mdou Moctar shares a song of protest on behalf of his continent in the blazing "Afrique Victime" |url=https://beatsperminute.com/mdou-moctar-shares-a-song-of-protest-on-behalf-of-his-continent-in-the-blazing-afrique-victime/ |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=Beats Per Minute }}</ref> He talks about sparse food and electricity in his home country Niger.<ref name=":23" /> Moctar also said: "The key element is to get through the message, even subconsciously, that the continent of Africa is being victimized, and to understand what France is doing in terms of colonialism on the African continent and how France must help".<ref name=":202" />
== Tracks == The songs on ''Afrique Victime'' combine traditional Saharan beats such as takamba.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Evan |date=2021-07-23 |title=CD of the Month: Mdou Moctar - "Afrique Victime" |url=https://www.wyso.org/arts-culture/2021-07-23/cd-of-the-month-mdou-moctar-afrique-victime |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=WYSO }}</ref> Many of the songs contain repeated riffs and handclapping.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kidel |first=Mark |date=2021-05-22 |title=Album: Mdou Moctar - Afrique Victime |url=https://theartsdesk.com/new-music/album-mdou-moctar-afrique-victime |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=theartsdesk.com }}</ref>
===Tracks 1–4=== "Chismiten", which was released on 7 October 2020, is in the Tamasheq language.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hyden |first=Steven |date=2021-05-21 |title=In Praise Of Mdou Moctar (And Guitar Solos In General) |url=https://uproxx.com/indie/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-review-guitar-solos/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=UPROXX }}</ref> The song starts with the sound of a rooster crowing, footsteps walking over crunchy land, and a psychedelic guitar melody.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farnell |first=Guido |title=Album Review: Mdou Moctar - 'Afrique Victime' |url=https://themusic.com.au/reviews/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-album-review-guido-farnell/iP6Qmp2cn54/21-05-21 |date=2021-05-21 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=The Music}}</ref> The other band members then join, completing the song.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |last=Hunter-Tilney |first=Ludovic |date=2021-05-21 |title=Mdou Moctar's Afrique Victime is psychedelic rock at its most charged |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ca036f4c-6818-4e80-b13f-417073fdf7b3 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Financial Times}}</ref><ref name=":19">{{Cite web |last=L'Opez |first=Frank |title=Mdou Moctar Explains the Meaning of ''Afrique Victime'' - Okayplayer |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-interview/ |date=2021-06-09 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Okay Africa}}</ref> The song's music video includes cellphone footage of weddings and markets in Niger.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leas |first=Ryan |date=2020-10-07 |title=Mdou Moctar - "Chismiten" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2101397/mdou-moctar-chismiten-matador-records/music/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Stereogum }}</ref> Allmusic described "Chismiten" as "desert blues with fearless rock & roll swagger".<ref name=":14">{{Citation |title=''Afrique Victime'' - Mdou Moctar |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/afrique-victime-mw0003490851 |access-date=2024-07-16 }}</ref> Music website ''Exclaim!'' described its lyrics as a "parental scolding".<ref name=":28">{{Cite web |last=Khanna |first=Vish |title=Mdou Moctar Takes His Peerless Guitar Rock to New Heights on 'Afrique Victime' {{!}} Exclaim! |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/mdou_moctar_afrique_victime_album_review |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=Exclaim! }}</ref>
On 28 January 2019, "Taliat" was released. Moctar stated: {{" '}}''Taliat''{{'}} means woman, in our community, women are queens, they have a lot of power, that['s] why I use the term 'taliat' to talk about them. A woman in the Tuareg community has to be protected, but she also has to be treated as equal."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Darville |first=Jordan |title=Watch the video for Mdou Moctar's new song "Taliat" |url=https://www.thefader.com/2021/05/18/mdou-moctar-new-song-taliat |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=The FADER }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Breathnach |first=Cillian |date=2021-05-20 |title=Mdou Moctar releases new single "Taliat", announces US tour dates |url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/news/mdou-moctar-taliat-afrique-victime-130583/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=UNCUT }}</ref><ref name=":31" /> The music video is a one-shot of band members Mdou Moctar, Mike Coltun, and Ahmoudou Madassane listening to the song in a car. Coltun said: "If you look closely, you can see Mdou singing along".<ref name=":31">{{Cite web |last=Breathnach |first=Cillian |title=Hear Mdou Moctar's latest track Taliat ahead of the release of his new album Afrique Victime |url=https://guitar.com/news/music-news/mdou-moctar-taliat-afrique-victime/ |date=2021-05-19 |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Guitar.com }}</ref> The pop culture website ''Uproxx'' described the song as a "guitar-driven psychedelic rocker".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossignol |first=Derrick |date=2021-05-18 |title=Mdou Moctar's 'Taliat' Is A Ripping Psychedelic Rocker |url=https://uproxx.com/indie/mdou-moctar-taliat-afrique-victime/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=UPROXX }}</ref> Music magazine ''No Depression'' named it "a song of lost love" in which "Moctar’s sweeping, wah pedal-enhanced runs could break away from the rhythm section like a competitive horse race".<ref name=":29" />
"Ya Habibti" is dedicated to Moctars' partner Layla,<ref name=":13" /> and Abdallah Og Oumbadagou.<ref name=":34" /> It includes clapping, acoustic guitar runs, mumbling percussion, and gritty acoustics.<ref name=":202">{{Cite web |last=Richmond |first=Ben |title=[Rev. of] ''Afrique Victime'' |url=https://afropop.org/articles/afrique-victime |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Afropop Worldwide }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Saleh |first=Oumar |title=Mdou Moctar – ''Afrique Victime'' review |url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/album-reviews/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Crack Magazine}}</ref> The track "Tala Tannam" ("Your Tears")<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bienstock |first=Richard |date=2021-03-03 |title=Niger-based guitarist Mdou Moctar channels "Tuareg melodies and Eddie Van Halen" on new album Afrique Victime |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/niger-based-guitarist-mdou-moctar-channels-tuareg-melodies-and-eddie-van-halen-on-new-album-afrique-victime |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=guitarworld }}</ref> features a guitar, percussion, gang vocals, and group harmonies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=H |first=Rob |date=2021-03-02 |title=Tuareg artist Mdou Moctar shares the glowing "Tala Tannam" and announces new album |url=https://beatsperminute.com/tuareg-artist-mdou-moctar-shares-the-glowing-tala-tannam-and-announces-new-album/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Beats Per Minute }}</ref><ref name=":27" /> The music video was recorded in Niamey and directed by Cem Misirlioglu. Coltun said: "The video includes friends and family—in the Tuareg community in villages around Niamey as well as Hausa people from villages in the Dosso region".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yoo |first=Noah |date=2021-03-02 |title=Mdou Moctar Announces New Album, Shares Video for New Song |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/mdou-moctar-announces-new-album-shares-video-for-new-song-watch/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Pitchfork }}</ref> ''AllMusic'' described "Tala Tannam" as a "sweetly devotional love song" with a "soft, acoustic texture".<ref name=":14" /> The music website ''Stereogum'' described it as a "dusty acoustic reverie".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Helman |first=Peter |date=2021-04-01 |title=Mdou Moctar – "Afrique Victime" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2122823/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime/music/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Stereogum}}</ref> According to ''Inews.co.uk'', the track is a "sandstorm of noise",<ref>{{Cite web|last=Solomon |first=Kate |date=2021-05-20 |title=Mdou Moctar's ''Afrique Victime'' is vital, wonderful music with cutting intensity |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/music/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-review-vital-wonderful-music-with-cutting-intensity-1011512 |access-date=2024-07-20 |publisher=Inews}}</ref> and ''Exclaim!'' said it has a "relatively relaxed mode".<ref name=":28" />
===Tracks 5–9=== "Untitled" includes a remix by the Kenyan guitar band Duma.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chandran |first=Nyshka |date=2022-07-04 |title=Mdou Moctar - Untitled (Duma Remix) · Single Review ⟋ RA |url=https://ra.co/reviews/34950 |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Resident Advisor }}</ref> "Asdikte Akal" is about Moctar's homeland and his love for it,<ref name=":21" /> and talks about Tuareg separatist violence.<ref name=":18" /> "Layla", which AllMusic described as "slinky",<ref name=":14" /> is named after Moctar's partner and talks about his love for her.<ref name=":13">{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=2021-05-20 |title=Mdou Moctar's Songs of Revolution and Love |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/mdou-moctar-interview-afrique-victime-1172056/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |magazine=Rolling Stone }}</ref> The song is also dedicated to Nigerien musician Abdallah Og Oumbadagou.<ref name=":34">{{Cite web |title=Mdou Moctar Details New Album 'Afrique Victime' & Shares Single |url=https://www.jambase.com/article/mdou-moctar-new-album-afrique-victime-single |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=JamBase }}</ref> A review by Pitchfork described the song as acoustic blues.<ref name=":1" /> The song contains fills with drum machines and group harmonies.<ref name=":27" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Terich |first=Jeff |date=2021-05-17 |title=Mdou Moctar : Afrique Victime {{!}} Album review |url=https://www.treblezine.com/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-review/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Treble }}</ref>
"Afrique Victime", which starts with 20 seconds of silence and Moctar playing guitar,<ref name=":26">{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Sam |date=2021-05-18 |title=Album of the Month: Mdou Moctar 'Afrique Victime' |url=https://djmag.com/longreads/album-month-mdou-moctar-afrique-victime |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=DJ Mag }}</ref> The song is about Niger's colonialism by the French.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Afrique Victime |url=https://www.thecolesthings.com/works/afrique-victime |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=www.thecolesthings.com }}</ref> references the Voulet–Chanoine Mission, in which French troops killed Nigeriens and hanged their bodies on trees.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":21">{{Cite web |last2= |date=2021-05-17 |title=Mdou Moctar - Afrique Victime |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Clash }}</ref> ''AllMusic'' described the song as "the sonic and emotional centerpiece".<ref name=":14" />
== Other editions == ''Afrique Victime'' has been released in multiple official editions, including a deluxe edition and ''Afrique Refait''.<ref name=":32" /><ref name=":33" />
=== Deluxe edition === On 24 February 2022, Moctar released a deluxe edition with nine new songs in addition to the original nine. The deluxe edition includes "Nakanegh Dich", which was recorded with Rob Schnapf in Los Angeles, California, United States, and was cut from the final version of the original album. It was the first Moctar song to include a wah-wah pedal.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Carys |date=2022-02-24 |title=Mdou Moctar's Afrique Victime Deluxe: Stream the New Album |url=https://consequence.net/2022/02/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-deluxe-edition-stream/ |access-date=2024-07-20 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grow |first=Kory |date=2022-02-22 |title=Mdou Moctar Shreds With a Wah-Wah for First Time on New Song 'Nakanegh Dich' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/mdou-moctar-nakanegh-dich-1310999/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |magazine=Rolling Stone }}</ref> According to Coltun, Moctar called Schnapf into the studio to control the pedal with his feet while Moctar played a guitar solo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-22 |title=Mdou Moctar announces digital deluxe edition of Afrique Victime, shares new track "Nakanegh Dich" |url=https://www.treblezine.com/mdou-moctar-digital-deluxe-edition-afrique-victime-nakanegh-dich/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Treble }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lapierre |first=Megan |title=Mdou Moctar Announces Deluxe Edition of 'Afrique Victime,' Shares New Song {{!}} Exclaim! |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/mdou_moctar_announces_deluxe_edition_of_afrique_victime_shares_new_song |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=Exclaim! }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=2022-02-22 |title=Listen to Mdou Moctar's New Song "Nakanegh Dich" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-mdou-moctar-new-song-nakanegh-dich/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Pitchfork }}</ref>
=== ''Afrique Refait'' === In 2022, Moctar released ''Afrique Refait'', an album of remixes of ''Afrique Victime'' songs by other artists. The songs include a remixed version of ''Taliat'' by Rey Sapienz and MC Dougis, and multiple reworkings of ''Chismiten''.<ref name=":33">{{Cite web |last=Renshaw |first=David |date=2022-04-14 |title=Mdou Moctar tap electronic artists from across Africa for Afrique Victime remix album |url=https://www.thefader.com/2022/04/14/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-remix-album |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=The FADER }}</ref>
==Reception== {{Music ratings | ADM = 8.2/10<ref name=adm>{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/12857/Mdou-Moctar-Afrique-Victime.aspx|title=Afrique Victime by Mdou Moctar reviews|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=September 1, 2025}}</ref> | MC = 86/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/afrique-victime/mdou-moctar|title=Afrique Victime by Mdou Moctar Reviews and Tracks|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=22 December 2023|archive-date=22 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222173758/https://www.metacritic.com/music/afrique-victime/mdou-moctar|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name=":14" /> | rev2 = ''Exclaim!'' | rev2score = 9/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khanna |first=Vish |date=17 May 2021 |title=Mdou Moctar Takes His Peerless Guitar Rock to New Heights on 'Afrique Victime' |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/mdou_moctar_afrique_victime_album_review |access-date=22 December 2023 |website=Exclaim! |archive-date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222173758/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/mdou_moctar_afrique_victime_album_review |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev3 = ''The Guardian'' | rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="The Guardian review">{{Cite web|last=Montgredien|first=Phil|date=2021-05-23|title=Mdou Moctar: Afrique Victime review – wild, virtuosic Tuareg blues|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/may/23/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-review-nokia-6120-tuareg|access-date=2021-07-23|website=The Guardian|archive-date=2024-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708164733/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/may/23/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-review-nokia-6120-tuareg|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev4 = ''The Line of Best Fit'' | rev4score = 8/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Paddy |date=17 May 2021 |title=On Afrique Victime, Mdou Moctar and his band are the true sound of youth resistance |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-album-review |access-date=22 December 2023 |website=The Line of Best Fit}}</ref> | rev5 = ''MusicOMH'' | rev5score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bemrose |first=Bekki |date=19 May 2021 |title=Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime {{!}} Album Reviews |url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime |access-date=22 December 2023 |website=MusicOMH |archive-date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222173800/https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev6 = ''Paste'' | rev6score = 9.0/10<ref name="Paste">{{Cite web|last=Reyes-Kulkarni|first=Saby|date=2021-05-21|title=Mdou Moctar's Vision Blossoms into a Desert Flower on Afrique Victime|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/mdou-moctar/afrique-victime-album-review/|access-date=2021-07-23|website=pastemagazine.com}}</ref> | rev7 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev7score = 8.4/10<ref name=":1"/> | rev8 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev8score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="Rolling Stone review">{{Cite magazine|last=Grow|first=Kory|date=2021-05-20|title=Mdou Moctar's 'Afrique Victime' Redefines Freedom in Rock|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-review-1170657/|access-date=2021-07-23|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=2021-07-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723151244/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-review-1170657/|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev9 = ''Uncut'' | rev9score = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connell |first=Sharon |date=21 May 2021 |title=Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime |url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/album/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-130602/ |access-date=22 December 2023 |website=Uncut |archive-date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222173800/https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/album/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-130602/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev10 = ''Under the Radar'' | rev10score = 8/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krcatovich |first=Dustin |date=20 May 2021 |title=Mdou Moctar: Afrique Victime (Matador) - review |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/afrique_victime_mdou_moctar |access-date=22 December 2023 |website=Under the Radar |archive-date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222173758/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/afrique_victime_mdou_moctar |url-status=live }}</ref> }}
''Afrique Victime'' was met with widespread critical acclaim. The review aggregator Metacritic, with a normalized rating of 100 from multiple publications, gave the album an average score of 86 based 17 music publications and reviews.<ref name=":20" />
The website ''OkayAfrica'' compared ''Afrique Victime'' with the works of Jimi Hendrix.<ref name=":19" /> The British magazine ''Our Culture Mag'' said on the album, there is a "palpable sense of urgency and aliveness" to Moctar's music that does not just "speak to the people" but "resonates far beyond".<ref name=":20">{{Cite web |last=Pappis |first=Konstantinos |date=2021-05-28 |title=Album Review: Mdou Moctar, 'Afrique Victime' |url=https://ourculturemag.com/2021/05/28/album-review-mdou-moctar-afrique-victime/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Our Culture }}</ref> ''AllMusic'' described the album as the "most conclusive example of Moctar's multidimensional talents to date".<ref name=":14" /> ''Guitar World'' described the title track as "a jaw-dropping display of intricately crafted electric guitar lines and fierce guitar playing prowess".<ref name=":30">{{Cite web |author1=Matt Owen |date=2021-04-01 |title=Mdou Moctar unleashes epic title track from upcoming album, Afrique Victime |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/mdou-moctar-unleashes-epic-title-track-from-upcoming-album-afrique-victime |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Guitar World }}</ref> Music website Backseat Mafia described the album as a "touchstone" for the rejuvenation of African music and Western rock.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-22 |title=Album review: Mdou Moctar – 'Afrique Victime': a coming together of the West African and western rock |url=https://www.backseatmafia.com/album-review-mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-a-coming-together-of-the-west-african-and-western-rock/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=Backseat Mafia }}</ref>
''Afrique Victime'' was ranked the 31st best album of 2021 on Metacritic.<ref name="Metacritic" /> The British music magazine DJ Mag chose ''Afrique Victime'' as its album of the month.<ref name=":26" /> Several media outlets added it to their end-of-year best-album lists, including ''The New York Times'',<ref name=":8">{{cite web |last1=Pareles |first1=Jon |last2=Caramanica |first2=Jon |last3=Zoladz |first3=Lindsay |date=2021-12-02 |title=Best Albums of 2021 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/02/arts/music/best-pop-albums.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202182024/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/02/arts/music/best-pop-albums.html |archive-date=2021-12-02 |access-date=2021-12-09 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> ''Pitchfork'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Hulley |first=Allison |date=2021-12-07 |title=The 50 Best Albums of 2021 |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-albums-2021/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108130313/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-albums-2021/ |archive-date=2024-01-08 |access-date=2021-12-09 |website=Pitchfork}}</ref> ''The Guardian'',<ref name=":11">{{cite web |last=Szatan |first=Gabriel |date=2021-12-06 |title=The 50 best albums of 2021, No 10: Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/dec/06/the-50-best-albums-of-2021-no-10-mdou-moctar-afrique-victime |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708164742/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/dec/06/the-50-best-albums-of-2021-no-10-mdou-moctar-afrique-victime |archive-date=2024-07-08 |access-date=2021-12-09 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'',<ref name=":12">{{cite magazine |last=Bernstein |first=Jonathan |date=2021-12-03 |title=The 50 Best Albums of 2021 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-2021-list-1260864/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-1260897/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209071717/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-2021-list-1260864/mdou-moctar-afrique-victime-1260897/ |archive-date=2021-12-09 |access-date=9 December 2021 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> and ''Consequence''.<ref>{{cite web |last=<!--Consequence staff--> |date=2021-12-07 |title=Top 50 Albums of 2021 |url=https://consequence.net/2021/12/top-50-albums-2021-list/3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708164712/https://consequence.net/2021/12/top-50-albums-2021-list/3/ |archive-date=2024-07-08 |access-date=2021-12-07 |publisher=Consequence}}</ref>
==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''Afrique Victime'' track listing | all_writing = Mdou Moctar. | total_length = 41:23
| title1 = Chismiten | length1 = 4:58 | title2 = Taliat | length2 = 3:48 | title3 = Ya Habibti | length3 = 3:31 | title4 = Tala Tannam | length4 = 5:38 | title5 = Untitled | length5 = 1:25 | title6 = Asdikte Akal | length6 = 4:31 | title7 = Layla | length7 = 4:26 | title8 = Afrique Victime | length8 = 7:25 | title9 = Bismilahi Atagah | length9 = 5:36 }}{{Track listing | headline = Afrique Victime (Deluxe Edition) | title1 = Chismiten (Demo) | length1 = 4:23 | title2 = Taliat (Live) | length2 = 5:48 | title3 = Ya Habibti (Demo) | length3 = 1:44 | title4 = Tala Tannam (Demo) | length4 = 1:16 | title5 = Asdikte Akal (Live) | length5 = 3:15 | title6 = Layla (Live) | length6 = 4:14 | title7 = Afrique Victime (Live) | length7 = 4:33 | title8 = Bishmilahi Atagah (Demo) | length8 = 4:51 | title9 = Nakanegh Dich | length9 = 4:38 }}
==Personnel== '''Mdou Moctar''' * Mahamadou 'Mdou Moctar' Souleymane – lead guitar, vocals<ref name=":10" /> * Ahmoudou Madassane – rhythm guitar, backing vocals<ref name=":1" /> * Michael Coltun – bass guitar, backing vocals, drum machines, production<ref name=":10" /> * Souleymane Ibrahim – drums, percussion, backing vocals<ref name=":1" />
'''Additional personnel''' *Robert Beatty – artwork<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hussey |first=Allison |date=2022-11-08 |title=Robert Beatty Is Your Favorite Artist's Favorite Album Designer |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/robert-beatty-is-your-favorite-artists-favorite-album-designer/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Pitchfork}}</ref>
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" align="left" |+ Chart performance for ''Afrique Victime'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2021) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Flanders|180|artist=Mdou Moctar|album=Afrique Victime|rowheader=true|access-date=9 December 2021}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|92|artist=Mdou Moctar|album=Afrique Victime|rowheader=true|access-date=9 December 2021}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|31|date=20210603|rowheader=true|access-date=22 December 2023}} |- !scope="row"|UK Album Sales (OCC)<ref name=":2">{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-sales-chart/20210528/7511/ |title=Official Albums Sales Chart top 100 |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=3 June 2021 |access-date=22 December 2023 |archive-date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222175116/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-sales-chart/20210528/7511/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | 36 |- {{album chart|UKDigital|57|date=20210603|rowheader=true|access-date=22 December 2023}} |- !scope="row"|UK Physical Albums (OCC)<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/physical-albums-chart/20210528/2/ |title=Official Physical Albums Chart top 100 |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=3 June 2021|access-date=22 December 2023}}</ref> | 36 |- !scope="row"|UK Vinyl Albums (OCC)<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/vinyl-albums-chart/20210528/9/ |title=Official Vinyl Albums Chart top 100 |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=3 June 2021|access-date=22 December 2023}}</ref> | 22 |- !scope="row"|UK Record Store (OCC)<ref name=":5">{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/record-store-chart/20210528/530/ |title=Official Record Store Chart top 100 |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=3 June 2021 |access-date=22 December 2023 |archive-date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222175115/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/record-store-chart/20210528/530/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | 14 |- {{album chart|UKIndependent|16|date=20210603|rowheader=true|access-date=22 December 2023}} |- !scope="row"|UK Independent Album Breakers (OCC)<ref name=":6">{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-breakers-chart/20210528/255/ |title=Official Independent Album Breakers Chart top 100 |publisher=Official Charts Company |date=3 June 2021 |access-date=22 December 2023 |archive-date=22 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222175113/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-breakers-chart/20210528/255/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | 2 |- |}
{{Clear}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2021 albums Category:Mdou Moctar albums Category:Matador Records albums