Gerardo, Rico Suave | Bangerz N Bopz

In the 35th edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2025), we highlight “Rico Suave” performed by Ecuadorian rapper Gerardo.  

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 35^th edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2025), we break down “Rico Suave” performed by Gerardo.

Two words: “Rico Suave”. Sometimes, Ecuadorian rapper Gerardo is wrongfully characterized as a one-hit-wonder. “Rico Suave,” the third track from his 1991, gold-certified album, Mo’ Ritmo, is his only top 10 hit on the pop charts (it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100). But, Gerardo also had another top 20 hit with “We Want The Funk” effectively eliminating him from one-hit-wonder status.  Still, “Rico Suave” is the song the fine, chiseled rapper was best remembered for. The single was certified gold. Gerardo and Christian Warren wrote “Rico Suave” while Erika Mitchell produced it.  Notably, the song samples James Brown (“Give It Up or Turnit a Loose” and “Funky Drummer”) and Daiquiri (“Chamo Candela”).

“Rico Suave” is hella groovy from the onset. The groove is percussion-heavy and representative of the 1990s. Of course, “Funky Drummer” plays a key role . Additionally, there is a big fat bass line – always a blessing! In a playful song, it comes as no surprise there are plenty of corny, tongue-in-cheek moments. “My only addiction has to do with the female species”, Gerardo raps in the first verse, adding, “I eat ‘em raw like sushi.” Ooh-wee! Notably, he raps in English and Spanish:

“A ver: uno, dos, tres, cuatro mujeres

Y la situación ahí no muere

No es un delito, calmo mi apetito

Con un llanto o un grito.”

He brings a respectable cadence and flow. Do his raps yield anything transcendent? No, but the rhymes are fun. “I don’t love ya but I need ya / Would you rather have me lie,” Gerardo raps in the second verse, concluding, “Take a piece of your pie and say bye / Or be honest and rub your thighs.” Ultimately, “Rico Suave” is a banger from the 1990s.  Again, it’s not technically a one-hit wonder but this is the song Gerardo is famous for.

Gerardo // Mo’ Ritmo // Interscope // 1991

Gerardo, Rico Suave: Bangerz N Bopz No. 35 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Interscope; Bigshow Lamar Campton, Daniel Duarte, Eduardo López from Pexels; AcatXIo, djexpectations, OpenClipart-Vectors, Thai Zeo from Pixabay]