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.

The rap begins 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: DK, 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; DK'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. 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.

The DK Rap returns as an arrangement in Super Smash Bros. Melee (performed by James W. Norwood Jr.), where 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" was replaced by "heck". The arrangement also appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as an unlockable song, now in the Jungle Japes stage, which is unlocked randomly after obtaining a CD. The arrangement reappears in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U as the reward for getting a chain of 200 in Trophy Rush as Donkey Kong, and in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate where it is available from the start, but only the verses for Donkey Kong, Tiny Kong and Diddy Kong are featured, cutting the length down to just under two minutes. It appears in the Jungle Hijinxs stage in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and in any Donkey Kong stage in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

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 completes the Funky's Flights mission "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.

The DK Rap is very well-known for its "so bad it's good" rapping and lyrics -- an intentional stylistic choice on Kirkhope's part. 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. The song is heavily associated with the Donkey Kong franchise and with Rareware in general; many years later, Kirkhope wrote the "Yooka-Laylee Rap" for the game Yooka-Laylee as a homage to the DK Rap.

Lyrics
 Text in green is only heard in the Donkey Kong 64 version. Text in red is only heard in the 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 tail (brief pause in lyrics) 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!

This Kong's got style So listen up dudes She can shrink in size To suit her mood (brief pause in lyrics) She's quick and nimble When she needs to be She can float through the air And climb up trees! (brief pause in lyrics) If you choose her You'll not choose wrong With a skip and a hop She's one cool Kong!

(brief pause in lyrics) Huh! DK Donkey Kong! (brief pause in lyrics)

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 (brief pause in lyrics) 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 / It's about time too And this time He's in the mood (brief pause in lyrics) 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 (brief pause in lyrics) But Kremlings beware Cause he's after you!

Huh! DK Donkey Kong! Huh! DK  Donkey Kong! (quieter) DK  Donkey Kong! DK  Donkey Kong!

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 (brief pause in lyrics) 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 / heck 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!

(Quieter, faster, and in a neutral tone.) 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!