Manu Chao announces his new album ‘Viva Tu’ with the single ‘Sao Paulo Motoboy’

Sofia Dowbor.Radio Bemba

Manu Chao releases “São Paulo Motoboy”, the second single from his upcoming album Long live you on Wednesday (June 26). This set marks his first solo studio effort in nearly 17 years, since The Radioline arrived in September 2007. Named after his whimsical rumba song and lead single, “Viva Tu,” released in May, the album is scheduled to arrive on September 20.

Sung in Portuguese, the electronic-tinged, nomadic guitar ballad is a tribute to the bikers and residents of São Paulo, Brazil, who risk their lives daily as they cruise the vast city on their motorcycles. The accompanying music video, out today at 12 p.m. ET, explores the daily lives of São Paulo’s “motoboys,” following one particular motorcyclist who rides with the slogan “Carregando Justiça Nas Costas”, which means “carry justice on our backs”.

“São Paulo is a breathing beast. And the smugglers are the blood that runs through his veins and keeps him alive,” Manu Chao said in a statement. Before gaining global fame, the French-born and Spanish-born superstar worked himself as a courier in Paris.

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

From The Radioline — 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 series of singles years later, collaborating with Bomba Estéreo (2022’s “Me Duele”) , Rumbakana (“Déjame” from 2023), Dani Lança (“Acontecer” from 2020) and more. He has also participated in social causes such as Playing for Change and The Dharavi Dream Project.

Live you will be available on CD, vinyl and digital format.

Listen to “São Paulo Motoboy” and check out the album’s tracklist below: