Rio 2 (soundtrack)

Like the first film's soundtrack, composer John Powell collaborated with Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes, to produce the album, and also co-write the film's songs with Carlinhos Brown, who also worked in the predecessor. Brown and Mendes write rhythmic and melody songs, and once the song took shape, Powell would fine tune songs and score to fit together.[1] Mendes wanted the music of the sequel, to be different than its predecessor, and to show the diversity of Brazilian music by bringing different textures and instruments.[1]

According to Mendes, "the movie starts on New Year’s Eve in Rio. It’s a very celebratory and international and a great time to go to Brazil to experience that", hence he wanted to bring Janelle Monáe onboard as she had "a very unique voice and a young sound but has that international [appeal] as well".[2][3] Mendes collaborated with Monáe at the Rock in Rio concert soon after the first film's release in 2011, and discussed about the film's music "When we spoke with Janelle we wanted a fun, festive song with a message of love and of hope. It had to convey the energy of Rio, something everyone could dance to, and when we heard it we could see it playing anywhere."[1] For the song "O Vida", Mendes went to Brazil, and collaborated with Uakti for few songs, where they could bring their home-made instruments to Los Angeles, and Powell could incorporate the song through the soundtrack. He added "Carlos inspired all of us because the music follows the story. And also the music is mostly for children so it has to be simple and catchy with no complicated harmonically or melodically, but we want the parents to enjoy as well. But the visual part is so beautiful."[2]

Carlos Saldanha, the film's director had said on Powell's contribution, adding "John is so curious, so passionate, that he immersed himself in Brazilian music. Every year we went to Brazil. He helped me shape the movie in a way that I would never have imagined. I have never seen somebody work so well and so collaboratively with such a diverse group of artists, from will.i.am and Janelle Monae to Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown; he maneuvered through all those worlds."[4] Danielle Diego, the executive vice president of Fox Music praised Powell's contribution and added that "the songs and score are seamlessly interwoven. It’s a cohesive experience, and so sophisticated musically."[4]

Atlantic Records announced the film's soundtrack on February 13, 2014,[5] and was released in digital formats on March 25.[6][7] It was promoted by the single "What Is Love", performed by Janelle Monáe, released on March 4 as a music video in YouTube.[8][9] The full song was released digitally on March 11.[10][11] It was promoted at Fox's American Idol, NBC's Today and BET's 106 & Park, with Monáe appearing the song for performance.[10] The album was exclusively promoted at Billboard, which revealed the digital track list, a day before its release.[10] The album was later released to physical formats on April 1.[5] Barbatuques performed the song "Beautiful Creatures" as part of the closing ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.[12]

Filmtracks.com wrote "Powell's score once again shares melodic structures with the original songs, some of which cast ensemble pieces that Powell contributed to. Those songs are not included on the score-only album for Rio 2, which does, though, open with a samba rendition of the 20th Century Fox theme certain to keep Alfred Newman turning over in his grave. The score album features fewer of these truly intolerable comedic moments, making Rio 2 a more palatable overall experience apart from the film. Don't expect too much from the music in this franchise, however, especially if you're anything near Alfred Newman's generation."[13] James Southall of Movie Wave wrote "The familiar, sweet main theme from the first film returns, as does the typical Powell orchestral derring-do, as he almost always uses in these animations.  What’s different is that there’s a slightly higher emphasis this time on Brazilian rhythms, the composer employing the services of the native band Uakti, who inject a wonderful sense of fun and a great energy whenever they appear.  There’s a great set of themes here, too, memorable and magical, Powell throwing them around a huge number of variations over the course of the score.  It’s a lovely album – full of charm, wit, terrific orchestral music; a very pleasurable way of spending an hour.  There’s adventure in spades, moments of wit (I just love the woodwind impersonations of bird calls), an occasional bout of 60s-style “light music”; above all, just the most wonderful fun – music with a smile on its face whose infectious spirit quickly passes on to the listener."[14]

James Christopher Monger of AllMusic said the soundtrack "offers up a predictably colorful set of originals and bossa nova-tinged Brazilian pop classics from a bevy of talented artists, and a star-studded cast of voice actors".[15] Melissa Redman of Renowned for Sound wrote "The Rio 2 album is filled with vibrant, uplifting tracks as well as the sadder, softer songs that must come in any children’s movie. The songs also take into account the fact that the movie is set is Rio de Janeiro/the Amazon rainforest and inject a bit of cultural flair into the tunes. The Rio 2 soundtrack and all the songs that come with it are perfect to accompany the Rio 2 film."[16]

Credits adapted from CD liner notes.[23]

• Soundtrack producer – John Powell, Sergio Mendes
• Digital production – Beth Caucci, Victor Chaga
• Recording – "Big Juice" Delaine, Brad Haehnel, Janelle Monáe, Joe Fitz, John Traunwieser, Nate Wonder, Roman GianArthur, Erik Swanson, Kevin Globerman
• Mixing – "Big Juice" Delaine, Brad Haehnel, Joe Fitz, Robert Orton
• Mastering – Fernando Lee, Stephen Marsh
• Music editor – Tom Carlson
• Executive producer – Sergio Mendes
• Musical assistance – Andrew Jordan, Brandon Cudequest, John Aspinall, Michael Christofi, Michael Matthews, Michael Nisbet, Michael Srisuwan
• Vocals – Ayana Layli Williams, Baraka May Williams, Beth Andersen, Bill Cantos, Carla Rigolin Hassett, Carlinhos Brown, Clydene Jackson, Edie Lehmann-Boddicker, Eric Andrew Nicolau, Felipe Fraga, Fletcher Sheridan, Gracinha Leporace, Jessica Kahn Variba, Joe Pizzulo, Joseph Williams, Katie Hampton, Kleber Jorge, Kudisan Kai, Moma de Freitas, Monique Donnelly, Paul Mounsey, Randy Crenshaw, Raquel Jacobs, Renni Flores, Roberto Montero, Siedah Garrett, Suzanne Waters, Sergio Mendes, Taura Stinson, Taylor Graves

An album featuring John Powell's original score was released on April 8, 2014 by Atlantic Records and Fox Music.[24] The score was recorded at the Newman Scoring Stage, in 20th Century Fox Studios, where the 108-piece ensemble from Hollywood Studio Symphony, performed the score, which was conducted by Jose Serebier.[25][26]