Paying respect to a legendary blueprint: J Dilla and “Rico Suave Bossa Nova”

Few hip‑hop producers have left as deep an imprint on beat culture as the late James “J Dilla” (a.k.a. Jay Dee). Born in Detroit in 1974, Dilla was raised by musician parents who exposed him to jazz and soul and encouraged him to learn multiple instruments. He became known for innovative, off‑kilter drum programming; Billboard critic Andy Kellman described his beats as “steady wobble with shuffling hi‑hats, oddly placed handclaps, spacious drum loops and reshaped samples”. Free from corporate constraints, Dilla recorded much of his early work in his basement, following a mad‑scientist ethos that producers like DJ Jazzy Jeff admired.

In 2001, Dilla released Welcome 2 Detroit, the first solo album under his new moniker. The record blended techno’s futuristic sheen, gritty boom‑bap and live jazz‑funk, capturing the feel of his city. One instrumental in particular; “Rico Suave Bossa Nova”; revealed Dilla’s fascination with Brazilian music. In the album’s liner notes he explained that he fell in love with bossa nova after listening to a Sérgio Mendes album and asked drummer Karriem Riggins to give him a bossa‑nova rhythm during a jam session. The resulting track sampled the Milton Banana Trio’s “Cidade Vazia” (via “Rico Suave Bossa Nova”) and introduced many hip‑hop heads to Brazilian jazz.

For the 20th‑anniversary reissue of Welcome 2 Detroit in 2021, London label BBE Music commissioned a deluxe box set. The set contained unreleased mixes and featured two tributes: a remix of “Think Twice” by Japanese producer Muro and a cover of “Rico Suave Bossa Nova” by Brazilian jazz‑funk legends Azymuth. This cover was more than a novelty; it symbolized a musical exchange. Dilla had turned to Brazilian records for inspiration; two decades later, one of Brazil’s most innovative bands honored him by reimagining his composition.

Azymuth: the original Samba Doido Mavericks

Formed in Rio de Janeiro in 1973 by keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami, bassist/guitarist Alex Malheiros and drummer Ivan “Mamão” Conti, Azymuth described their sound as samba doido (“crazy samba”); a free‑wheeling blend of samba, jazz and funk. Their 1979 track “Jazz Carnival” became an international hit, reaching No. 19 on the UK singles chart. Over the decades the trio pushed boundaries by mixing swirling keyboards, space‑age synths and deep bass lines with Brazilian rhythms; their signature style eventually influenced countless DJs and producers around the globe.

The band’s willingness to embrace contemporary influences made them perfect collaborators for the Welcome 2 Detroit anniversary project. On their cover of “Rico Suave Bossa Nova,” Azymuth replaced Dilla’s MPC‑driven bounce with live drums and shimmering Rhodes chords while preserving the laid‑back swing of the original. The result is equal parts homage and reinterpretation; an acknowledgement of Dilla’s love for Brazilian music and a reminder of Azymuth’s own creative restlessness.

Enter 5th Empire: Boise’s beat‑battle incubator

In Boise, Idaho, the 5th Empire collective has spent the last few years reviving the lost art of the beat battle. Previous battles asked producers to flip everything from Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times Bad Times” to Barry White’s “I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby.” Each post contextualizes the original song, introduces each participant’s style and invites readers to vote for a favorite.

In March 2024, Gradian even chronicled his own creative journey, mentioning that his track “Level Up” drew on the bossa‑nova records his mother loved. This appreciation for Brazilian music foreshadowed the collective’s latest challenge: to honor Dilla and Azymuth by reworking “Rico Suave Bossa Nova.”

Meet the producers

The Mighty DeltaOne

As 5th Empire’s founder, The Mighty DeltaOne embodies the crate‑digger ethos. He is known for hard‑hitting drums, deft sample chops and unpredictable arrangements. His own catalogue includes tracks like “Wish” and “Represent,” which blend boom‑bap with soulful samples and uplifting messages. In this battle he digs deep into Dilla’s swing, layering dusty drum breaks over Azymuth’s chords and sprinkling in scratches that pay homage to classic hip‑hop.

HansCholo

HansCholo, another Boise‑based producer/DJ, brings a cinematic sensibility to his music. In a previous 5th Empire beat battle he “leaned into the cinematic quality” of Italian composer Piero Piccioni’s work, creating a beat that “could easily score a modern film. Known for lush pads, dramatic strings and thoughtfully placed vocal chops, HansCholo approaches “Rico Suave Bossa Nova” like a soundtrack piece; building tension with minor chords before letting loose with crunchy drums and swirling synth‑lines.

Willie Fade

A newcomer to the 5th Empire roster, Willie Fade is part of Boise’s underground dance scene. He regularly appears at high‑energy events like the Underground Beyblade Rave, where a “stacked lineup of local DJs including Willie Fade, Jocelyn Guntar, and EMLO” entertains ravers till late. The event description promises high impact and zero chill an apt summary of Willie Fade’s style. For this battle he blends breakbeat‑driven drums with glitched vocal chops and rave‑ready bass, injecting Dilla’s laid‑back groove with a dose of club‑energy.

Why this battle matters

This beat battle is more than a remix contest; it’s a cross‑cultural conversation. By sampling and re‑imagining “Rico Suave Bossa Nova,” these Boise producers pay tribute to two musical legacies:

• J Dilla’s innovation: His ability to blend bossa‑nova grooves with hip‑hop aesthetics opened listeners’ ears to Brazilian music.
• Azymuth’s global influence: The trio’s “samba doido” fusion of jazz, funk and samba continues to inspire producers worldwide, and their cover of Dilla’s track shows the respect runs both ways.
• Boise’s burgeoning beat scene: 5th Empire demonstrates that creative beat culture isn’t confined to major cities. Through battles that merge history and innovation, they nurture local talent and connect Boise with a global community of beatmakers.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a die‑hard Dilla fan, a lover of Brazilian jazz or someone curious about Boise’s music scene, 5th Empire’s latest challenge invites you to listen, vote and share your thoughts.

Press play on each remix and decide which producer flipped “Rico Suave Bossa Nova” best. In doing so, you’ll be part of a conversation that spans Motown basements, Rio de Janeiro studios and Idaho beat labs; proof that great music knows no borders.

Mike Gradian

While not only a Boise, Idaho DJ, Mike Gradian has been a staple DJ in the “City of Trees” for decades. He continues to grace venues across the state keeping the art of turntablism alive!