La despedida

This record, Clandestino, emerged at a time of significant changes for Manu Chao, both in his personal life and in his musical career. Manu Chao, whose full name is José Manuel Arturo Tomás Chao Ortega, was born in Paris, France, in 1961. His roots are Spanish, with Basque and Galician ancestry. His ability to express himself in several languages —French, Spanish, English, Galician, Portuguese, and others— is reflected in the richness of his compositions. Before embarking on his solo career, Chao had already explored the music scene in Paris, passing through groups like Hot Pants and Los Carayos. In 1987, together with his brother Antoine Chao and other friends, he founded Mano Negra, a band that achieved notable success, especially in Europe and Latin America. After the separation of Mano Negra in 1995, Manu Chao began his path as a solo artist, maintaining constant connection with his audience through tours with his live band, Radio Bemba. He currently resides in Barcelona. Chao's lyrics often address themes such as love, life in the neighborhoods, and the experience of immigration, influenced by his own family's history, which emigrated from Spain to France during the era of Francisco Franco. His friend Jorge Abascal also played a significant role in shaping his political ideas, many of which are manifested in his songs, especially in Clandestino.