Afrique Victime is the sixth album by Tuareg musician Mdou Moctar. It was released on 21 May 2021 as the artist's first album with Matador Records. The album is sung almost entirely in Tamasheq, though parts are in French. The album talks about political themes like sexism, war crimes, and colonialism.[1][2]
Afrique Victime | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 21 May 2021 | |||
Studio | Multiple places[1] | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 41:23 | |||
Label | Matador | |||
Producer | Michael Coltun | |||
Mdou Moctar chronology | ||||
|
Moctar and his band began recording the album while he was touring for his previous album, Ilana: The Creator. They recorded in several studios and other spaces. The band went on tour in 2022 to promote its release. They released a companion documentary about the creation of the album, featuring the difficulties faced by their band members living on two continents, Africa and the United States.[3]
The album received positive reviews from international publications, several of which listed it as one of the best albums of 2021. The album was the gateway for Mdou Moctar's popularity, according to the magazine Spin.[4]
Background and production
editMdou Moctar partnered with American record label Sahel Sounds to release his music globally, including his previous album, Ilana: The Creator.[5] He later switched his label to Matador Records; Afrique Victime was his first album with the label.[2][6][5]
The album features the rock, blues, and assouf genres.[1][7] It was recorded in multiple places, including Niamey, Niger.[1] Compared to Moctar's previous work, it features more African fusion than blues.[8] Moctar sings in the Tamasheq language, except for some parts in French.[9] 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."[10]
During Moctar's tour for Ilana (The Creator), he started recording this album during small breaks in the tour. The record was made in several different studios. Since Mdou Moctar, as he said in an interview with Reverb, is reluctant to spend too much time cooped up in a studio, the band recorded the album in intervals, over a few weeks. He said that studios worsen the listening experience as there is a person manipulating the recordings.[11] Afrique Victime was his first album with studio equipment and professional sound engineers. Bass guitarist Mikey Coltun stated that the band shot the songs in one take.[12] Moctar based the album on his environment and surroundings.[13] The songs were recorded in a variety of locations, including backstage spaces.[14][15]
Release
editThe album was released on 21 May 2021, under Matador Records, an American independent label.[1] The album's length is 41 minutes and 23 seconds, consisting of 9 songs.[16] The album was released in digital, vinyl, and CD versions.[17] In homage to his first albums, which listeners shared on phones using Bluetooth, he released a collector's edition Nokia 6120 handset with the album loaded on it.[18][19]
Following the release, he announced a 2022 tour, making stops in the United States, Canada, England, Germany, France, Sweden, and more. The tour started on February 27 in North Carolina and ended on August 6 in Poland.[20]
Documentary
editIn September 2021, Matador Records relased a 10-minute documentary featuring the creation of Afrique Victime.[21][22][21][23] It was mainly shot by bassist Mikey Coltun, who had travelled to Niger to record the album.[3] It shows the political circumstances happening in Niger, including guerilla factions, which had prevented them from touring. As Moctar stated:[24][24][25]
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.[24]
The documentary shows the band's experience being trapped in the COVID-19 pandemic. Coltun is shown interviewing the other band members about their expertise for Music.[26] It includes footage of live shows.[27]
Tracks
editThe album is about violence in Africa. In an interview with Reverb, Moctar mentioned a massacre near his town that killed 203 people.[12] The songs combines traditional Saharan beats, such as takamba, with American guitar.[28] Many of the songs have repeated riffs, handclapping, and slow buildups to a climax.[29] They feature Moctar's left-handed guitar style, with hammer-ons from his right hand, and energetic riffs.[17] Moctar plays songs with two or three chords.[11]
"Chismiten"
edit"Chismiten" was released on 7 October 2020. The song is in the Tamasheq language.[30] It starts with the sound of a rooster crowing and footsteps walking over crunchy land, then a psychedelic guitar melody.[31] Then, the other bandmates join, completing the song.[32][33] The music video contains cellphone footage of weddings and markets of Niger.[34]
"Chismiten" was described by AllMusic as "desert blues with fearless rock & roll swagger".[35] Music website Exclaim! described its lyrics as like a "parental scolding".[36]
"Taliat"
editOn January 28, 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."[37][38][39]
The music video is a one-shot of band members Mdou Moctar, Mike Coltun, and Ahmoudou Madassane listening to the song in the car. Coltun mentioned: "If you look closely, you can see Mdou singing along".[39]
The song was described by pop culture website Uproxx as a "guitar-driven psychedelic rocker".[40] Music magazine No Depression called the song "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."[15]
"Tala Tannam"
editThe title of "Tala Tannam" translates to "Your Tears".[41] The track features a guitar and some percussion surrounded by gang vocals, as well as group harmonies.[42][11]
The music video was shot 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."[43]
The song was described by AllMusic and a "sweetly devotional love song" with a "soft, acoustic texture".[35] The music website Stereogum described it as a "dusty acoustic reverie".[44] The song was described by Inews.co.uk as a "sandstorm of noise",[45] and by Exclaim! as having a "relatively relaxed mode".[36]
"Layla"
edit"Layla" is named after Moctar's partner and talks about his love for her.[46] A review by Pitchfork described the song as acoustic blues.[1] The song also contains fills with drum machines, as well as group harmonies.[11][47]
"Afrique Victime"
edit"Afrique Victime" starts with 20 seconds of silence, followed by Moctar playing the guitar.[48] The song is about Niger's colonialism by the French.[49] The song references the Voulet–Chanoine Mission, in which French troops killed Nigeriens and hanged their bodies on trees.[2][50] AllMusic described the song as "the sonic and emotional centerpiece".[35]
Others
edit"Untitled" has a remix by Kenyan guitar band Duma.[51] "Asdikte Akal" is about Moctar's homeland, and his love for it.[50] It talks about Tuareg separatist violence.[32] It was described by AllMusic as "slinky".[35] "Ya Habibti" is dedicated to Moctars' partner, Layla.[46] The song includes clapping, acoustic guitar runs, mumbling percussion, and gritty acoustics.[10][52]
Other editions
editAfrique Victime has been released in multiple official editions, including the Deluxe Edition and Afrique Refait.[53][54]
Deluxe Edition
editIn February 24, 2022, Moctar released a deluxe edition with nine new songs as well as the nine in the original. The deluxe edition includes the song "Nakanegh Dich", which was cut from the final version of the original album. The song was recorded with Rob Schnapf in the city of Los Angeles. It was the first Moctar song to include the wah-wah pedal.[53][55] Coltun recalled Moctar calling Schnapf into the studio to control the pedal with his feet while Moctar played a guitar solo.[56][57][58]
Afrique Refait
editIn 2022, Moctar released an album filled with remixes by other artists. The songs include a remixed version of Taliat by Rey Sapienz and MC Dougis and multiple reworks of Chismiten.[54]
Reception
editAggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 86/100[59] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [35] |
Exclaim! | 9/10[60] |
The Guardian | [19] |
The Line of Best Fit | 8/10[61] |
MusicOMH | [62] |
Paste | 9.0/10[63] |
Pitchfork | 8.4/10[1] |
Rolling Stone | [64] |
Uncut | [65] |
Under the Radar | [66] |
The website OkayAfrica stated that "From the chaotic and violent crescendos of the title track to the plaintive voices that echo through you in Tala Tannam there are moments on this record that match the most defiant wile outs of Jimi Hendrix".[33] The British magazine Our Culture Mag described the album as having a "palpable sense of urgency and aliveness to Mdou Moctar’s music that not only speaks to the spirit of the people behind it but resonates far beyond."[67] AllMusic described the album as the "most conclusive example of Moctar's multidimensional talents to date".[35] Guitar World described the songs as "rapid".[68]
Afrique Victime was ranked the 31st best album of 2021 on Metacritic, a popular review aggregator.[59] It was picked as album of the month by British music magazine DJ Mag.[48] Several critics added it to their end-of-year best album lists, including The New York Times,[69] Pitchfork,[70] The Guardian,[71] Rolling Stone,[72] and Consequence.[73]
Political context
editThe album talks about political issues including war crimes and sexism.[1] Moctar talks about political violence in his home country, Niger, and problems and murder caused by motorcycle gangs. Moctar hints at the history of Africa and its colonialism in the title song, "Afrique Victime".[2] Moctar stated, “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".[18][68] The album talks about the exploitation of Africa, including the Nigerien mining plunder, and French imperialism.[74][75] In an interview with Dazed, a lifestyle magazine, he 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!"[74][76] He talks about sparse food and electricity in his hometown Niger.[13]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Mdou Moctar.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Chismiten" | 4:58 |
2. | "Taliat" | 3:48 |
3. | "Ya Habibti" | 3:31 |
4. | "Tala Tannam" | 5:38 |
5. | "Untitled" | 1:25 |
6. | "Asdikte Akal" | 4:31 |
7. | "Layla" | 4:26 |
8. | "Afrique Victime" | 7:25 |
9. | "Bismilahi Atagah" | 5:36 |
Total length: | 41:23 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Chismiten (Demo)" | 4:23 |
2. | "Taliat (Live)" | 5:48 |
3. | "Ya Habibti (Demo)" | 1:44 |
4. | "Tala Tannam (Demo)" | 1:16 |
5. | "Asdikte Akal (Live)" | 3:15 |
6. | "Layla (Live)" | 4:14 |
7. | "Afrique Victime (Live)" | 4:33 |
8. | "Bishmilahi Atagah (Demo)" | 4:51 |
9. | "Nakanegh Dich" | 4:38 |
Personnel
editMdou Moctar
- Mahamadou 'Mdou Moctar' Souleymane – lead guitar, vocals[12]
- Ahmoudou Madassane – rhythm guitar, backing vocals[1]
- Michael Coltun – bass guitar, backing vocals, drum machines, production[12]
- Souleymane Ibrahim – drums, percussion, backing vocals[1]
Additional personnel
- Robert Beatty – artwork[77]
Charts
editChart (2021) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[78] | 180 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[79] | 92 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[80] | 31 |
UK Album Sales (OCC)[81] | 36 |
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[82] | 57 |
UK Physical Albums (OCC)[83] | 36 |
UK Vinyl Albums (OCC)[84] | 22 |
UK Record Store (OCC)[85] | 14 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[86] | 16 |
UK Independent Album Breakers (OCC)[87] | 2 |
The album peaked at number 2 in the UK Independent Singles and Album Breakers Charts. It entered the top 30 on the UK Vinyl Albums Chart, UK Physical Albums Chart, the UK Record Store Chart, and the UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts. It entered the top 100 in the Dutch Album Chart, the Scottish Album Chart, the UK Album Sales Chart, and the UK Physical Album Chart, and the top 200 on the Belgian Album Chart.[81][83][84][85][87]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Sodomsky, Sam. "Mdou Moctar: Afrique Victime". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d Yoo, Noah. "Mdou Moctar: "Afrique Victime"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ a b Arnone, Joey (16 September 2021). "Mdou Moctar Shares New "Afrique Victime" Documentary". Under the Radar Mag. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ Leorne, Ana (3 May 2024). "Mdou Moctar's Electrifying Funeral For Justice". Spin.com. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ a b Breathnach, Cillian (3 March 2021). "Mdou Moctar Announces New Album Afrique Victime, Released Music Video For Single Tala Tannam". Guitar.com. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ Sisario, Ben (22 April 2024). "Mdou Moctar's Guitar Is a Screaming Siren Against Africa's Colonial Legacy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
- ^ Matos, Michaelangelo. "Mdou Moctar: "Afrique Victime"". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Sentz, Tim (21 May 2021). "Album Review: Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Ayers, Mike (2 July 2021). "Mdou Moctar: Afrique Victime". relix. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
Aside from a bit of French in spots, the songs are all sung in Tamasheq...
- ^ a b Richmond, Ben. "Afropop Worldwide | Afrique Victime". Afropop Worldwide. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d Gorham, Luke (18 June 2021). "Mdou Moctar | Afrique Victime". In Review Online. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d Millevoi, Nick (14 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar on the Recording and Meaning of "Afrique Victime"". reverb.com. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ a b Pilley, Max (20 May 2021). "Desert Blues: Mdou Moctar on Afrique Victime - The Skinny". www.theskinny.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Album of the week: Afrique Victime — Triple R 102.7FM, Melbourne Independent Radio". www.rrr.org.au. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b Saunders, Hillary (22 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar's Virtuosic and Thoughtful 'Afrique Victime'". No Depression. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ Afrique Victime by Mdou Moctar on Apple Music, 21 May 2021, retrieved 9 July 2024
- ^ a b Kelsey. "Album of the Week: Mdou Moctar, 'Afrique Victime'". www.thecurrent.org. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b Scarlett, Liz (1 April 2021). "Mdou Moctar unveils the mind-melting title track from upcoming album Afrique Victime". louder. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ a b Montgredien, Phil (23 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar: Afrique Victime review – wild, virtuosic Tuareg blues". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ Corcoran, Nina (11 November 2021). "Mdou Moctar Announces 2022 Tour, Releases Live at the Niger River Live Set". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ a b Kahn, Andy. "Mdou Moctar Shares 'Afrique Victime: The Documentary'". JamBase. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (16 September 2021). "Mdou Moctar Releases Afrique Victime Documentary". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (16 September 2021). "Mdou Moctar Releases Afrique Victime Documentary: Watch". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b c "Mdou Moctar releases documentary focusing on his album, Afrique Victime". PAM - Pan African Music. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
- ^ Richmond, Ben. "Afropop Worldwide | Mdou Moctar Releases "Afrique Victime" Mini-Doc". Afropop Worldwide. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ Droke, Carolyn (16 September 2021). "Mdou Moctar Releases Their Captivating 'Afrique Victime' Documentary". UPROXX. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ "Watch Mdou Moctar's 'Afrique Victime: The Documentary'". Treble. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Miller, Evan (23 July 2021). "CD of the Month: Mdou Moctar - "Afrique Victime"". WYSO. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Kidel, Mark (22 May 2021). "Album: Mdou Moctar - Afrique Victime". theartsdesk.com. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ Hyden, Steven (21 May 2021). "In Praise Of Mdou Moctar (And Guitar Solos In General)". UPROXX. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ Farnell, Guido (21 May 2021). "Album Review: Mdou Moctar - 'Afrique Victime'". The Music. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (21 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar's Afrique Victime is psychedelic rock at its most charged". Financial Times. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ a b L'Opez, Frank (9 June 2021). "Mdou Moctar Explains the Meaning of 'Afrique Victime' - Okayplayer". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ Leas, Ryan (7 October 2020). "Mdou Moctar - "Chismiten"". Stereogum. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Afrique Victime - Mdou Moctar | Album | AllMusic, retrieved 16 July 2024
- ^ a b Khanna, Vish. "Mdou Moctar Takes His Peerless Guitar Rock to New Heights on 'Afrique Victime' | Exclaim!". Exclaim!. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ Darville, Jordan. "Watch the video for Mdou Moctar's new song "Taliat"". The FADER. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ Breathnach, Cillian (20 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar releases new single "Taliat", announces US tour dates". UNCUT. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b Breathnach, Cillian (19 May 2021). "Hear Mdou Moctar's latest track Taliat ahead of the release of his new album Afrique Victime". Guitar.com. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ Rossignol, Derrick (18 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar's 'Taliat' Is A Ripping Psychedelic Rocker". UPROXX. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Bienstock, Richard (3 March 2021). "Niger-based guitarist Mdou Moctar channels "Tuareg melodies and Eddie Van Halen" on new album Afrique Victime". guitarworld. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ H, Rob (2 March 2021). "Tuareg artist Mdou Moctar shares the glowing "Tala Tannam" and announces new album". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ Yoo, Noah (2 March 2021). "Mdou Moctar Announces New Album, Shares Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ Helman, Peter (1 April 2021). "Mdou Moctar – "Afrique Victime"". Stereogum. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ Solomon, Kate (20 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar's Afrique Victime is vital, wonderful music with cutting intensity". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ a b Blistein, Jon (20 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar's Songs of Revolution and Love". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ Terich, Jeff (17 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar : Afrique Victime | Album review". Treble. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ a b Davies, Sam (18 May 2021). "Album of the Month: Mdou Moctar 'Afrique Victime'". DJ Mag. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ "Afrique Victime". www.thecolesthings.com. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Mdou Moctar - Afrique Victime". Clash. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ Chandran, Nyshka (4 July 2022). "Mdou Moctar - Untitled (Duma Remix) · Single Review ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ Saleh, Oumar. "Mdou Moctar – 'Afrique Victime' review". Crack Magazine. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ a b Anderson, Carys (24 February 2022). "Mdou Moctar's Afrique Victime Deluxe: Stream the New Album". Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ a b Renshaw, David (14 April 2022). "Mdou Moctar tap electronic artists from across Africa for Afrique Victime remix album". The FADER. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Grow, Kory (22 February 2022). "Mdou Moctar Shreds With a Wah-Wah for First Time on New Song 'Nakanegh Dich'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ "Mdou Moctar announces digital deluxe edition of Afrique Victime, shares new track "Nakanegh Dich"". Treble. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Lapierre, Megan. "Mdou Moctar Announces Deluxe Edition of 'Afrique Victime,' Shares New Song | Exclaim!". Exclaim!. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ Strauss, Matthew (22 February 2022). "Listen to Mdou Moctar's New Song "Nakanegh Dich"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Afrique Victime by Mdou Moctar Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ Khanna, Vish (17 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar Takes His Peerless Guitar Rock to New Heights on 'Afrique Victime'". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ Scott, Paddy (17 May 2021). "On Afrique Victime, Mdou Moctar and his band are the true sound of youth resistance". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ Bemrose, Bekki (19 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime | Album Reviews". MusicOMH. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ Reyes-Kulkarni, Saby (21 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar's Vision Blossoms into a Desert Flower on Afrique Victime". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ Grow, Kory (20 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar's 'Afrique Victime' Redefines Freedom in Rock". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ O'Connell, Sharon (21 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime". Uncut. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ Krcatovich, Dustin (20 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar: Afrique Victime (Matador) - review". Under the Radar. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ Pappis, Konstantinos (28 May 2021). "Album Review: Mdou Moctar, 'Afrique Victime'". Our Culture. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ a b Matt Owen (1 April 2021). "Mdou Moctar unleashes epic title track from upcoming album, Afrique Victime". guitarworld. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Pareles, Jon; Caramanica, Jon; Zoladz, Lindsay (2 December 2021). "Best Albums of 2021". New York Times. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ Hulley, Allison (7 December 2021). "The 50 Best Albums of 2021". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 8 January 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ Szatan, Gabriel (6 December 2021). "The 50 best albums of 2021, No 10: Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (3 December 2021). "The 50 Best Albums of 2021". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ "Top 50 Albums of 2021". Consequence. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
- ^ a b Szatan, Gabriel (13 May 2021). "Mdou Moctar: the shred star of the Sahara". Dazed. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ Höhne, Josh (30 May 2021). "Ecstatic Sufi Nationalism on Mdou Moctar's Afrique Victime - Honi Soit". Honi Soit. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ H, Rob (1 April 2021). "Mdou Moctar shares a song of protest on behalf of his continent in the blazing "Afrique Victime"". Beats Per Minute. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ Hussey, Allison (8 November 2022). "Robert Beatty Is Your Favorite Artist's Favorite Album Designer". Pitchfork. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Mdou Moctar – Afrique Victime" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Official Albums Sales Chart top 100". Official Charts Company. 3 June 2021. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Official Physical Albums Chart top 100". Official Charts Company. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Official Vinyl Albums Chart top 100". Official Charts Company. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Official Record Store Chart top 100". Official Charts Company. 3 June 2021. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Official Independent Album Breakers Chart top 100". Official Charts Company. 3 June 2021. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.