Manu Chao Announces Solo Album 'Viva Tu' With Single 'São Paulo Motoboy'

Manu Chao has released “São Paulo Motoboy”, the second single from his upcoming album Viva Tu on Wednesday (June 26). The set marks his first solo studio effort in nearly 17 years since La Radiolina It arrived in September 2007. The album, which was released in May with its whimsical rumba song and lead single, “Viva Tu”, is set to be released on September 20.

Sung in Portuguese, the nomadic, electronic-tinged guitar ballad is a tribute to bikers and delivers the people of São Paulo, Brazil who risk their lives every day navigating the vast city on their motorcycles. Its accompanying music video, out today at 12 p.m. ET, explores the daily lives of “motoboys” in Sao Paulo, following a particular motorcyclist who rides with the slogan “Carregando Justiça Nas Costas”, which means “we carry justice on our backs”.

“São Paulo is a breathing beast. And messengers are the blood that runs through its veins, keeping it alive,” Manu Chao said in a press release. Before achieving global fame, the French-born superstar of Spanish descent worked as a courier himself in Paris.

As for the upcoming album, Viva Tu will feature 13 new songs inspired by his travels and everyday experiences, sung in Spanish, French, Portuguese and English. It features contributions from legendary artists such as Willie Nelson on “Heaven's Bad Day” and French singer Laeti on “Tu Te Vas”.

From La Radiolina — which reached No. 71 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Top Latin Albums and Latin Pop Albums charts in 2007 — Manu released a string of singles years later, collaborating with Bomba Estéreo (2022's “Me Duele”) , Rumbakana (“Déjame” of 2023), Dani Lança (“Acontecer” of 2020) and many more. He has also been involved in social causes such as Playing for Change and The Dharavi Dream Project.

Viva Tu will be available on CD, vinyl and digital.

Listen to “São Paulo Motoboy” and see the album tracklist below: