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DK Rap: Difference between revisions
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[[File:DK64 DK Rap.png|thumb|300px|The [[Kong|DK Crew]] dancing to the DK Rap]] | [[File:DK64 DK Rap.png|thumb|300px|The [[Kong|DK Crew]] dancing to the 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 [[Rare Ltd.|Rareware]] staff members joining in for the chorus.<ref name="site">[http://web.archive.org/web/20151225105231/http://www.grantkirkhope.com/donkeykong64.html Donkey Kong 64 Video Game Music Compositions]. ''Grantkirkhope.com''. December 25, 2015 snapshot via Wayback Machine.</ref> 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 | 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 [[Rare Ltd.|Rareware]] staff members joining in for the chorus.<ref name="site">[http://web.archive.org/web/20151225105231/http://www.grantkirkhope.com/donkeykong64.html Donkey Kong 64 Video Game Music Compositions]. ''Grantkirkhope.com''. December 25, 2015 snapshot via Wayback Machine.</ref> 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 (series)|''Donkey Kong Country'' titles]]. The song is heavily associated with the [[Donkey Kong (franchise)|''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.<ref name="site"/> 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 ''{{wp|Electronic Gaming Monthly}}'' in January 2002.<ref>''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' issue 150, pg. 162.</ref> The DK Rap has met a resurgence in popularity and notoriety, especially as an [[List of references on the Internet#DK Rap|internet meme]]. On April 1, 2017, in promotion of the game ''{{wp|Yooka-Laylee}}'' (a spiritual sequel to the ''{{wp|Banjo-Kazooie}}'' series), {{wp|Playtonic Games}} released a DK Rap-inspired song called the "Yooka-Laylee Rap."<ref>Playtonic (April 1, 2017). "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mSzJj1c1z0 The Yooka-Laylee Rap!]". ''YouTube''. Retrieved May 1, 2023. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20230501231328/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mSzJj1c1z0 Archived] May 1, 2023, 23:13:28 UTC via Wayback Machine.)</ref> | 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.<ref name="site"/> 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 ''{{wp|Electronic Gaming Monthly}}'' in January 2002.<ref>''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' issue 150, pg. 162.</ref> The DK Rap has met a resurgence in popularity and notoriety, especially as an [[List of references on the Internet#DK Rap|internet meme]]. On April 1, 2017, in promotion of the game ''{{wp|Yooka-Laylee}}'' (a spiritual sequel to the ''{{wp|Banjo-Kazooie}}'' series), {{wp|Playtonic Games}} released a DK Rap-inspired song called the "Yooka-Laylee Rap."<ref>Playtonic (April 1, 2017). "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mSzJj1c1z0 The Yooka-Laylee Rap!]". ''YouTube''. Retrieved May 1, 2023. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20230501231328/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mSzJj1c1z0 Archived] May 1, 2023, 23:13:28 UTC via Wayback Machine.)</ref> | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
The rap starts with [[Cranky Kong]]'s hands mixing records on a turntable. The sequence then cuts to the five playable [[Kong]]s 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: | The rap starts with [[Cranky Kong]]'s hands mixing records on a turntable. The sequence then cuts to the five playable [[Kong]]s 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 Kong|Tiny]], [[Lanky Kong|Lanky]], [[Diddy Kong|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 {{wp|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. | 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. | ||