DK Rap
The "DK Rap," also known as the Monkey Rap, is a song and video that plays upon every startup of Donkey Kong 64. It serves as an introduction to the game's playable characters, and it establishes their personalities and special moves. The lyrics were written by Grant Kirkhope, and the song was performed by George Andreas and Chris Sutherland, with various other Rareware staff members joining in for the chorus.[1] Kirkhope has stated his goal in creating the song was to juxtapose the style of the new game and set Donkey Kong 64 apart from the previous Donkey Kong Country titles. The song is heavily associated with the Donkey Kong franchise and with Rareware in general. It is also the main theme for Donkey Kong in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
The DK Rap is infamous and well-known for its "so bad it's good" nature, regarding its poor rapping and lyrics—an intentional stylistic choice on Kirkhope's part.[1] The song has been criticized by various video game publications and journalists since the release of Donkey Kong 64. The line "His coconut gun can fire in spurts. If he shoots ya, it's gonna hurt!" was once voted as the fourth worst line in a video game ever by the magazine Electronic Gaming Monthly in January 2002.[2] The DK Rap has met a resurgence in popularity and notoriety, especially as an internet meme. On April 1, 2017, in promotion of the game Yooka-Laylee (a spiritual sequel to the Banjo-Kazooie series), Playtonic Games released a DK Rap-inspired song called the "Yooka-Laylee Rap."[3]
Description
The rap starts with Cranky Kong's hands mixing records on a turntable. The sequence then cuts to the five playable Kongs in a group; Chunky Kong is wearing a 1970s-era disco outfit, only to rush offscreen and change into his regular outfit. Throughout the rap, each Kong is introduced in this order: Donkey Kong, Tiny, Lanky, Diddy, and Chunky. It explains each Kong's unique traits varying from their abilities, weapons, and instruments. In each of the Kong's verses, a different instrument can be heard: Donkey Kong's is a muted trumpet, Tiny's is a saxophone, Lanky's is a trombone, Diddy's is a guitar, and Chunky's is a timpani. Near the end of the rap, Cranky starts to "take it to the fridge." An audience can be heard giving the five playable Kongs a standing ovation before Klump throws a grenade to the screen, ending the rap.
In the lyrics of the song, the Kongs' abilities, strengths, and weaknesses are described to the player. There are some false statements throughout the rap. During the line about Tiny that says "she can float through the air and climb up trees," Tiny is shown climbing up one of the two thick palm trees; while playing the game in Adventure Mode, only Chunky can climb thick palm trees while using his Hunky Chunky ability. Aside from Donkey Kong being described as "bigger" and "stronger," he is also described as "faster," despite being the second-slowest character in the game behind Chunky.
Other inclusions and iterations
DK Rap Attack
- Main article: DK Rap Attack
The DK Rap Attack was a contest hosted on the official Donkey Kong 64 website, hosted by Nintendo of America. It involved people submitting their own renditions and covers of the DK Rap.
Super Smash Bros. series
A new version of the DK Rap was recorded for Super Smash Bros. Melee, where it was performed by James W. Norwood Jr. with a completely different backing track, and it plays in the Kongo Jungle stage. The third and fifth verses describing Tiny Kong and Diddy Kong are sung faster, and the word "hell" is replaced by "heck."
This version of the DK Rap is also featured in subsequent Super Smash Bros. games. It appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as an unlockable song for the Jungle Japes stage, unlocked if the player obtains a CD for it. It returns in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U as an unlockable song for the Jungle Hijinxs stage, unlocked if the player gets a chain of 200 in Trophy Rush as Donkey Kong. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the DK Rap is available from the start and can play on every Donkey Kong series stage. In both Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the DK Rap contains only the verses for Donkey Kong, Tiny Kong, and Diddy Kong, cutting the length down to just under two minutes.
Donkey Konga
The Super Smash Bros. version of the DK Rap returns as a playable song in Donkey Konga. The album Donkey Konga: The Hottest Hits released in 2004 also features the song.
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Though the DK Rap is not featured in Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, the E3 2018 trailer for the Donkey Kong Adventure DLC briefly plays it. In said trailer, Rabbid Cranky is seen playing part of the DK Rap on a turntable, before being interrupted by Rabbid Peach.[4]
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Donkey Kong is introduced in the Great Ring of Kong to the chorus portion of the DK Rap which chants his name.
Prior to the film's release, a teaser for the film posted on social media confirmed the inclusion of the DK Rap in the film.[5] In the teaser, Donkey Kong's film voice actor Seth Rogen states that the song is "objectively one of the worst rap songs of all time." Songwriter Grant Kirkhope expressed joy over Twitter upon learning about the song's inclusion in the film,[6] but was later disappointed in seeing he was not credited as the original composer in the movie's credits.[7]
Allusions to the song
The DK Rap is mentioned in the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 2, after Diddy completes the Funky's Flights mission Cool Sounds. By returning Funky's boombox from the mission, he tells the Kongs that he can continue listening to the DK Rap all day.
Donkey Kong's crowd cheer in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate references the song with the crowd cheering, "DK! Donkey Kong!" in the style of the song.
The song is also often referenced in Donkey Kong's blurbs across game-adjacent material. His description on the Mario Party 10 website stated that "He's finally back to kick some tail," also pointing out his return to the Mario Party series as a playable character. The Prima guide for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe calls Donkey Kong "The first member of the DK Crew."[8] Donkey Kong's website description for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 ("He's so strong, it isn't funny.") references Chunky Kong's verse in the song.[9]
Yooka-Laylee Rap
To promote their then-upcoming video game Yooka-Laylee, a spiritual successor to classic Rareware games such as Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong 64, Playtonic Games posted the "Yooka-Laylee Rap" on their YouTube channel.[10] Written and composed by Grant Kirkhope and sung by Chris Sutherland and Kevin Bayliss, the Yooka-Laylee Rap spoofs the original DK Rap in the same cheesy, tongue-in-cheek style as its predecessor, containing a number of allusions and homages to it. For instance, Yooka's verse states that he is "green as heck," a tongue-in-cheek reference to the word "hell" from the original DK Rap being replaced with "heck" in the Super Smash Bros. Melee rendition. In addition, Yooka is described as "quick" and "nimble," a nod to Tiny Kong's verse. The general melody is noticeably very similar to the DK Rap.
Lyrics
Original version
Here, here, here we go
So they're finally here, performing for you
If you know the words, you can join in too
Put your hands together, if you want to clap
As we take you through this monkey rap!
Huh!DK! Donkey Kong!
He's the leader of the bunch, you know him well
He's finally back to kick some tail
His Coconut Gun can fire in spurts
If he shoots ya, it's gonna hurt!
He's bigger, faster, and stronger too
He's the first member of the D.K. crew!
Huh!DK! Donkey Kong!
DK! Donkey Kong is here!(Here we go)
This Kong's got style, so listen up, dudes
She can shrink in size, to suit her mood
She's quick and nimble when she needs to be
She can float through the air and climb up trees!
If you choose her, you'll not choose wrong
With a skip and a hop, she's one cool Kong!
Huh!DK! Donkey Kong!
He has no style, he has no grace
This Kong has a funny face
He can handstand when he needs to
And stretch his arms out, just for you
Inflate himself just like a balloon
This crazy Kong just digs this tune!
Huh!DK! Donkey Kong!
DK! Donkey Kong is here!He's back again and about time too
And this time he's in the mood
He can fly real high with his jetpack on
With his pistols out, he's one tough Kong!
He'll make you smile when he plays his tune
But Kremlings beware 'cause he's after you!
Huh!DK! Donkey Kong!
Huh!Finally, he's here for you
It's the last member of the D.K. crew!
This Kong's so strong, it isn't funny
Can make a Kremling cry out for mummy
Can pick up a boulder with relative ease
Makes crushing rocks seem such a breeze
He may move slow, he can't jump high
But this Kong's one hell of a guy!
Huh!Come on, Cranky, take it to the fridge!
Walnuts, peanuts, pineapple smells,
Grapes, melons, oranges, and coconut shells!
Ahh, yeah!Walnuts, peanuts, pineapple smells,
Grapes, melons, oranges, and coconut shells!
Ahh, yeah!
Super Smash Bros. version
Here, here, here we go
So they're finally here, performing for you
If you know the words, you can join in too
Put your hands together, if you want to clap
As we take you through this monkey rap!
Huh!DK! Donkey Kong!
He's the leader of the bunch, you know him well
He's finally back to kick some tailHis Coconut Gun can fire in spurts
If he shoots ya, it's gonna hurt!
He's bigger, faster, and stronger too
He's the first member of the D.K. crew!DK! Donkey Kong! (Hah!)
DK! Donkey Kong is here!This Kong's got style, so listen up, dudes
She can shrink in size, to suit her moodShe's quick and nimble when she needs to be
She can float through the air and climb up trees!If you choose her, you'll not choose wrong
With a skip and a hop, she's one cool Kong!DK! Donkey Kong!
He has no style, he has no grace
This Kong has a funny face
He can handstand when he needs to
And stretch his arms out, just for youInflate himself just like a balloon
This crazy Kong just digs this tune! (Hah!)DK! Donkey Kong!
DK! Donkey Kong is here!He's back again, it's about time too
And this time he's in the moodHe can fly real high with his jetpack on
With his pistols out, he's one tough Kong!
He'll make you smile when he plays his tuneBut Kremlings beware 'cause he's after you!
DK! Donkey Kong!
DK! Donkey Kong!
DK! Donkey Kong!
DK! Donkey Kong!Finally, he's here for you
He's the last member of the D.K. crew!
This Kong... so strong, it isn't funny
Can make a Kremling cry out for mummyCan pick up a boulder with relative ease
Makes crushing rocks seem such a breeze
He may move slow, he can't jump high
But this Kong's one heck of a guy!Come on, Cranky, take it to the fridge!
Walnuts, peanuts, pineapple smells,
Grapes, melons, oranges, and coconut shells!
Walnuts, peanuts, pineapple smells,
Grapes, melons, oranges, and coconut shells! Oh, yeah!So they're finally here, performing for you
If you know the words, you can join in too
Put your hands together, if you want to clap
As we take you through this monkey rap!
Japanese lyrics
It has been requested that this section be rewritten and expanded to include more information. Reason: include romanization and translation
| Japanese scripta |
|---|
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Media
 DK Rap - The rap's introductory verse | File info |
| Kongo Jungle - The arrangement of the DK Rap used for the Kongo Jungle stage in Super Smash Bros. Melee | File info |
Notes
a - The translated lyrics are not present within the game. Instead, they are in the Japanese instruction manual.[11]
References
- ^ a b Donkey Kong 64 Video Game Music Compositions. Grantkirkhope.com. December 25, 2015 snapshot via Wayback Machine.
- ^ Electronic Gaming Monthly issue 150, pg. 162.
- ^ Playtonic (April 1, 2017). "The Yooka-Laylee Rap!". YouTube. Retrieved May 1, 2023. (Archived May 1, 2023, 23:13:28 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^ Nintendo (June 12, 2018). Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle: Donkey Kong Adventure - Release Date Announcement - Nintendo E3 2018. YouTube. Retrieved April 29, 2019
- ^ DK Rap is straight-up (three banana emojis) #SuperMarioMovie. Twitter.
- ^ If you’d told me in ‘97, when I wrote the worst rap track in the history of rap tracks, that it would go on to be in a Mario Bros movie I’d would’ve burst with excitement! Long live the DK Rap! @Sethrogen. Twitter.
- ^ I was really looking forward to see my name in the credits for the DK Rap, but alas as expected it's not there ........ fml. Twitter.
- ^ Joe Epstein, Garitt Rocha, Alexander Musa. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Prima Official Guide. Page 24.
- ^ Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. olympicvideogames.com. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- ^ Playtonic Games (April 1, 2017). The Yooka-Laylee Rap! YouTube. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- ^ Japanese Donkey Kong 64 instruction booklet (PDF). nintendo.net. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
