Chicos y Mendez represents the essence of Latino sounds, acoustic reggae and world music: Like the children of Manu Chao with whom they have shared a stage on multiple accounts. And just like their mentor they reinvent Latin-American music. They combine militance and happiness. Their lyrics—partly in Spanish, partly in French—convey a dedicated message and reflect the dual citizenship of lead singer David Méndez Yépez who has his origins in Peru but lives in Belgium.
Chicos y Mendez, the name of the band, pays tribute to Brazilian trade unionist Francisco Mendes Alves Filho, known as “Chico Mendes” and who used to fight against the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, before he was killed for his activism. Like his mentor, David Méndez Yépez, stands up for the ideals of social justice and, in his songs, he denounces the reckless world of finance and the lack of hope for future generations. Chicos y Mendez ask for a dance for a better future: Their sound evokes a vibrant sense of humanism.