DK Rap Returns in Donkey Kong Bananza for Nintendo Switch: Composer Grant Kirkhope Reacts

Donkey Kong Bananza, the highly anticipated new addition to the Donkey Kong franchise, is set to launch exclusively on Nintendo Switch.

Among the many nostalgic features returning to the game is the iconic 'DK Rap'—a track originally featured in Donkey Kong 64.

During the recent Nintendo Direct, fans were thrilled when Nintendo confirmed the DK Rap's inclusion, celebrating a piece of musical history that has become synonymous with the series. The original DK Rap was composed by Grant Kirkhope, an acclaimed British video game composer known for his work on several classic Rare and Nintendo games.

When Donkey Kong 64 was released in 1999, the DK Rap attracted considerable attention—and not all of it positive.

In an interview with Eurogamer, Kirkhope reflected on the track's polarizing debut and its renewed popularity among fans with its return in Donkey Kong Bananza. Kirkhope observed that the once-controversial track now appears to have achieved cult status.

He remarked, "It’s quite surprising to see the DK Rap embraced these days, considering the pushback it initially faced back when Donkey Kong 64 launched.

At the time, I felt as though the humor behind it was lost on many—though I think younger players understood the joke better than teenagers.

It’s taken a quarter-century, but people seem to enjoy it now." He humorously added, "If I have a legacy, it’s probably going to be that I wrote the DK Rap and the GoldenEye Pause Music—perhaps that’s all that’ll matter about me in the end!" Musical nostalgia isn’t the only element being emphasized in Donkey Kong Bananza.

Nintendo has revealed that the expanded soundtrack is integrated into the gameplay experience.

Players will be able to collect discs from defeated enemies, enabling them to listen to a variety of returning and new tracks while resting at designated Getaway locations.

This feature not only highlights the game's rich musical heritage but also offers fans a way to enjoy their favorite tunes at their own pace. Yesterday’s Nintendo Direct presentation provided additional details about Donkey Kong Bananza and other upcoming Nintendo Switch titles, reinforcing Nintendo’s commitment to both innovation and honoring its legacy franchises.

Donkey Kong Bananza’s musical callbacks, particularly the resurrection of the DK Rap, underline Nintendo's unique approach in blending nostalgia with fresh gameplay for a new generation of players. Donkey Kong Bananza is slated for release on the Nintendo Switch, with further details—including a full tracklist and more gameplay information—set to arrive in the coming months.

As anticipation builds, both longtime fans and newcomers can look forward to experiencing the iconic sounds that helped define an era of gaming.

Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza Grant Kirkhope Switch Grant DK Rap Donkey Kong 64 Nintendo Direct