OMFG You guys can't be serious!!
What is there so gray about percussion samples? It's a conga, a bongo, a shaker, a tom-tom, a cymbal, a snare, a bass-drum etc. Be they even synthish.. Okay, now that you have these, make something interesting RHYTHMICALLY!.
I don't want to hear melodies, I don't care much for the melodies. You will not get a higher grade with melodies. All I care about is the rhythm. I don't care much for the vocals either, but if you must scream "SAMBA!!" go ahead an do it!
I can't understand why you all refuse to see the simple side in all of this, and choose to go down complication lane....
Really!!