TAKAAT (pronounced tuh-cot), meaning “noise” in the Tuareg language Tamashek, is the trio of Ahmoudou Madassane, Mikey Coltun, and Souleymane Ibrahim, also known as the rhythm section of Mdou Moctar. TAKAAT is sonic chaos, improvisation, freedom of exploration, and the punk styles of bands such as Fugazi and Unwound, all mixed together with the guitar music from the Sahel.

TAKAAT started during soundchecks while on the road with Mdou Moctar when the trio indulged their shared love for amps cranked to 11 and the sound of blown out speakers. Towards the end of 2023, the three started writing music together, inspired by their shared experiences with the sounds and energy of Hausa bar bands, gritty soukous, and 2000s post-punk. The music of TAKAAT is intense, dark, and energetic. Deeply inspired by the DIY ethos of punk, Ahmoudou, Mikey, and Souleymane capture that thrill of the new and the ecstasy of togetherness in these heavy rockers. TAKAAT follows in the spirit of the independent music culture that birthed hardcore basement shows, bedroom tape labels, and generator-powered pick-up wedding bands.

released April 18, 2025

Ahmoudou Madassane : Guitar, Vocals
Mikey Coltun : Bass
Souleymane Ibrahim : Drums

Recorded, Mixed and Produced by Mikey Coltun at Purplish/Bossa Studios
Mastered by: Seth Manchester at Machines With Magnets
Photography by: Amghy Chacon + Cem Misirlioglu
Cover Design: Can Misirlioglu
Additional clapping by: Rob Coltun

All songs written by Alhassane Gajil and Ahmoudou Madassane except Ishumar written by Hasso Akotey
All songs arranged by TAKAAT