Manu Chao (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmanu ˈtʃao]; born José-Manuel Thomas Arthur Chao on 21 June 1961) is a renowned French-Spanish singer known for his multilingual repertoire. He sings in various languages, including French, Spanish, English, Italian, Arabic, Catalan, Galician, Portuguese, Greek, and occasionally others. Chao’s musical journey began in Paris, where he started his career by busking and collaborating with groups like Hot Pants and Los Carayos, combining diverse languages and musical styles.
Mano Negra, founded by Chao with his brother Antoine Chao and cousin Santiago Casariego in 1987, gained considerable success, particularly in Europe. Influenced by the UK rock scene, such as The Clash, The Jam, and Dr. Feelgood, Manu Chao and his fellow musicians formed Hot Pants, a Spanish/English rockabilly group, in the mid-1980s. Later, they incorporated this sound with rockabilly and punk styles in Los Carayos.
Mano Negra’s first hit single, “Mala Vida,” was reworked from the Hot Pants demo and released in 1988, propelling the band to popularity in France. Despite limited fame in English-speaking regions, the band achieved significant success worldwide, reaching the Top 5 in the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany. They gained particular popularity in South America during their Cargo Tour in 1992 and a tour through Colombia on a retired train called the “Ice Express.”
The band’s vibrant sound, represented by the term “Patchanka” (a colloquial word for “party”) from their debut album, Patchanka, featured a mix of music genres, captivating audiences and creating an informal, intimate connection with their sound.
Following some internal disagreements and legal issues with former bandmates, Manu Chao disbanded Mano Negra in 1995, subsequently embarking on a successful solo career. He continues to tour with his live band, Radio Bemba, delighting audiences worldwide.
Manu Chao’s music continues to be influential, with artists like Gogol Bordello covering Mano Negra’s song “Mala Vida” in collaboration with Chao since 2006. His childhood experiences, surrounded by artists and intellectuals and influenced by Cuban singer-pianist Bola de Nieve, have played a role in inspiring some of his songs.
Manu Chao’s heritage and family history, with his mother Felisa Ortega from Bilbao, Basque Country, and his father Ramón Chao, a writer and journalist from Vilalba, Galicia, add to the richness of his multicultural background, which is reflected in his music and lyrics.