Manu Chao

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Manu Chao
Manu Chao in 2009
Background information
Birth name	José Manuel Tomás Arturo Chao Ortega
Also known as	Oscar Tramor
Born	(1961-06-21) 21 June 1961 (age 63) Paris, France
Genres	Latin alternative reggae worldbeat ska
Occupation(s)	Singer musician songwriter record producer
Instrument(s)	Vocals guitar
Years active	1984–present
Labels	Nacional Because Virgin
Website	manuchao.net

Manu Chao (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmanu ˈtʃao]; born José Manuel Tomás Arturo Chao Ortega on 21 June 1961) is a French-Spanish singer, songwriter and guitarist. He sings in French, Spanish, English, Italian, Arabic, Catalan, Galician, Portuguese, Greek, and occasionally in other languages. Chao began his musical career in Paris, busking and playing with groups such as Hot Pants and Los Carayos, which combined a variety of languages and musical styles. With friends and his brother Antoine Chao, he founded the band Mano Negra in 1987, achieving considerable success, particularly in Europe. He became a solo artist after its breakup in 1995 and since then has toured regularly with his live band, Radio Bemba.