Ya Habibti

Mdou Moctar, 2021, from Afrique Victime. Solo by Mdou Moctar.

A love song whose bright, circular riffing builds toward a feverish lead passage.

Ya Habibti is a love song, and it starts with bright, circular riffing that seems to spin on the spot. Over the course of the track, Mdou Moctar gradually raises the temperature until the guitar breaks loose into a feverish lead passage, fast and bristling with hammered-on runs. The build is the song's great strength: it moves from sweetness to intensity without ever losing its melodic core. Moctar's ability to turn a simple figure into a thrilling climax is central to his appeal. Listen for the moment when the repeating riff gives way to the lead passage; the band tightens up around him and the whole track seems to accelerate.

Ya Habibti by Mdou Moctar is featured in our Desert Blues (#6) list. The solo is played by Mdou Moctar and the song was released in 2021.

In our lists

• The Greatest Desert Blues Guitar Songs — #6
• The Best Mdou Moctar Guitar Solos — #8

Sources