Manu Chao

Manu Chao (born June 21, 1961 in Paris; real name Jose-Manuel Thomas Arthur Chao; also occasionally credited as Oscar Tramor) is a French Latin folk singer of Spanish origin.

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Chao's parents were Spanish - or to be more precise, his mother is Basque and his father, writer Ram?n Chao, is Galician -, but moved to Paris to escape Francisco Franco's dictatorship (which lasted until the dictator's death in 1975). Manu Chao thus spent his childhood near Paris.

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Manu Chao was a well-known member of the Parisian alternative music scene, in bands such as the Hot Pants and Los Carayos.

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In 1987, Chao, his brother Antoine Chao and their cousin Santiago Casariego founded the band Mano Negra. Mano Negra met with success in France first with the hit single Mala vida, then toured South America. The band split circa 1995.

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He sings in French, Spanish, Arabic, Galician, Portuguese, English, and Wolof, often mixing them in the same song. Although he is one of the world's largest selling artists, he is not well-known in the English-speaking world.

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His music has many influences: rock, French chanson, Spanish-American Salsa, Reggae, Ska and Algerian ra?.

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These influences were obtained from immigrants in France, his Iberian relations, and foremost his travels in Mesoamerica as a wandering nomad following the disbanding of Mano Negra. Many of Chao's lyrics are about love, living in ghettos and immigration, and often carry a left-wing message. He has many followers among the European left and the anti-globalization movement, though some resent his being part of the music establishment.

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June 21: June 21 is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 193 days remaining. This day usually marks the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere and the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere, and thus is the day of the year with the longest hours of daylight ...

1961: 1961 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar)....

Paris: Paris is the capital city of France, as well as the capital of the ?le-de-France r?gion, whose territory encompasses Paris and its suburbs. The city of Paris proper is also a d?partement, called Paris d?partement (French: d?partement de Paris). It is a wonderful city for aimless wandering of which f...

Manu Chao related Images and Photos (experimental)

Om Manu Padme Hum	Chao Shao-an 2011 Wall Calendar	Chao Shao-an 2012 Wall Calendar	2005 - Manu Ginobili / Tim Duncan / Tony Parker
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