Manu Chao is a much appreciated French artist, known for his ability to combine several musical styles and languages as: French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and many more. Born in 1961, Manu (Jose-Manuel Thomas Arthur Chao), grow up around many artists and intellectuals, most of whom were his father's acquaintances. Chao cites much of his childhood experience as inspiration for some songs which have several influences like: rock, salsa, reggae, ska and rai.
Heavily influenced by the UK rock scene, but especially by his Latin roots, Manu together with his brother Antoine and their cousin Santiago, founded in 1987, the multiracial band Mano Negra. After five albums with Mano Negra, Manu decides to go on all by him self. In 1998 he's starting his own project, called Manu Chao, with the release of his first solo album “Clandestino”. The disc had a major success and singles like “Bongo Bong”, “Mentira”, “Mama Call” topped the charts. “Clandestino”- a successful mixture of reggae, rock, rumba and brasilian rithms - is the album which made Manu Chao become a trade mark.
Chao's second album with Radio Bemba Sound System, "Próxima Estación: Esperanza", was released in 2001. The album was an instant hit, leading to a successful tour that resulted in the 2002 live album Radio Bemba Sound System. Two years later, Chao returned to his French roots with the French-only album "Sibérie m'était contée". Manu Chao's latest album, "La Radiolina", was released on September 17, 2007. "Rainin in Paradize" was the first single from the album.
