Red Hot + Rio began a number of projects focused on the music and culture of South America as well as to raise money and awareness to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic in that part of the world. The success of the album came from a balance between the classic songs of Tom Jobim and infectious Bossa Nova grooves with modern electronic music. It was the first time anyone had connected the two. The combination sounded fantastic and had a huge impact on Brazilian music over the past twenty years. So much so that Red Hot did a follow up, Rio2, that focused on the Tropicalia movement and some of its great artists such as Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil.
Brazilian recording artists including Jobim, Astrud Gilberto and Gilberto Gil are among the contributors to the project. Along with them, many contemporary pop music performers are featured on this release, including Incognito, David Byrne, Sting and PM Dawn.
The project also included a one hour TV special produced by MTV Brasil and directed by Alex Gabassi, which also aired around the world, including the Bravo channel in the U.S. The show included performances by artists on the album with graphics and imagery inspired by the classic Bossa Nova culture born in Brazil that spread everywhere that people enjoy good music and great style.
