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Meet the Jimi Hendrix of the Sahara

Our music reporter on Mdou Moctar and other African guitar heroes

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Produced by John White

Edited by Lynn Levy

Engineered by Alyssa Moxley and Dan Powell

By Ben Sisario

Our music reporter Ben Sisario takes us on a journey through West Africa’s guitar music scene past and present, highlighting a handful of songs from the genre’s most innovative and influential bands. This playlist showcases an eclectic mix of styles — from desert blues and psychedelic rock to Afro-Cuban music.

Featured Songs:

  • Mdou Moctar, “Imouhar”

  • Ali Farka Touré, “Ali Aoudy”

  • Tinariwen, “Matadjem Yinmixan”

  • Orchestra Baobab, “Coumba”

Ben Sisario, a music reporter for The Times.

ImageA photo illustration with a blue-toned photo of Mdou Moctar holding a guitar overlaid on a brown box. There are yellow, green and pink rectangles around it, all over a beige background.
Credit...Photo Illustration by The New York Times; Photo: Timothy Norris/Getty Images for Coachella

The New York Times Audio app is home to journalism and storytelling, and provides news, depth and serendipity. If you haven’t already, download it here — available to Times news subscribers on iOS — and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Ben Sisario covers the music industry. He has been writing for The Times since 1998. More about Ben Sisario

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