DK Rap
The DK Rap, also known as the Monkey Rap, is a rap song about Donkey Kong and his friends, which plays during the introduction of the game Donkey Kong 64. It was written by Grant Kirkhope. In Donkey Kong 64, it was performed by George Andreas and Chris Sutherland.[1] The DK Rap is somewhat infamous for its considerably corny lyrics, and some people are surprised at the fact that it contains the word "hell" despite being featured in an E-Rated (in North America) game. However, "hell" as an intensifier is not considered offensive in Great Britain (which is where Rare is located). In each of the Kong's verses, a different instrument can be heard. Donkey's is a harmonica (or trumpets/horns), Tiny's is a saxophone, Lanky's is a trombone, Diddy's is a guitar, and Chunky's is a timpani. In the beginning of the rap, Chunky Kong was wearing a 1970s-era disco outfit, presumably due to ignorance. However, when he notices that none of the other Kongs are wearing the outfit, he quickly rushes offscreen and changes his outfit to his regular outfit just before the final intro lyric is finished.
The DK Rap returned in Super Smash Bros. Melee (performed here by James W. Norwood Jr.), where it became the musical score for the Kongo Jungle level. The third and fifth verses describing Tiny Kong and Diddy Kong were sung faster, and the word "hell" was replaced by "heck", despite the fact that Super Smash Bros. Melee was rated T, in contrast to Donkey Kong 64's E-Rating. The Melee version was also used in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, now in the Jungle Japes stage. One must first find the CD and select the song in My Music in order to access it.
The DK Rap is also reused in Donkey Konga, as one of the game's many songs.
In the Game Boy Advance remake of Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, after Diddy and Dixie Kong complete the minigame "Cool Sounds" by finding and bringing Funky Kong's lost boombox back to him, he will say he can now get back to listening to the DK Rap all day long.
In the lyrics of the song, the Kong's abilities, strengths and weaknesses are described to the player. However, there are some false statements throughout the rap. During the line about Tiny which says that "She can float through the air and climb up trees", Tiny is shown climbing up one of the two thick palm trees; although 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 and "bigger" and "stronger", he was also described as "faster", despite that he is the second slowest character in the game behind Chunky, due to his heavy weight. In between the verses about Donkey Kong and Tiny, Tiny can be seen carrying all the other Kongs (who are heavier and stronger than her) with Chunky (who is obviously the heaviest) way on top, despite that it is impossible for anyone to carry others heavier than him or her and not as strong, which in the next few seconds, they all fall with Chunky landing hard on both Diddy and Tiny while Donkey Kong and Lanky land on the ground by themselves unharmed.
On Grant Kirkhope's website, he states that the DK Rap was supposed to be a joke, as opposed to a serious rap song.[2] 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 Electric Gaming Monthly in January, 2002.
Lyrics
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 DK crew!
Huh!
DK! Donkey Kong!
DK! Donkey Kong is here!
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 DK 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 fall of a guy!
Huh!
C'mon Cranky, take it to the fridge!
W-w-w-walnuts, peanuts, pineapple smells,
Grapes, melons, oranges and coconut shells!
Ahh yeah!!
Walnuts, peanuts, pineapple smells,
Grapes, melons, oranges and coconut shells!
Ahh yeah!!
*Replaced with nothing in later versions of the song.
