Donkey Kong 64 holds a cherished spot in the hearts of a generation of gamers and garnered numerous awards upon its release. For a nostalgic journey, one can revisit GameSpot's 1999 review. The game marked Donkey Kong and his friends' entry into the first 3D space, following the conclusion of the Donkey Kong Country series on the previous console generation. While the gameplay remains iconic, the opening theme, "The DK Rap," stands out even more, introducing players to the characters.
In honor of the game's 25th anniversary, rapper Substantial, in collaboration with original composer Grant Kirkhope, released a remix album titled Rare Treats: Donkey Kong 64 Revisited. This album, featuring 14 tracks, includes fresh beats and lyrics while retaining the funky DK vibe. The official song description states, "This isn't just a nostalgia trip—it's a full-blown, banana-fueled celebration, with revisited recordings and versions re-arranged by composer Grant Kirkhope. Track titles have also been updated to match their intended destiny." The album boasts, "Remade by the legend himself, Grant Kirkhope: The original composer and living legend who brought you the unforgettable tracks of Banjo-Kazooie and GoldenEye 007 has returned to remaster the DK64 soundtrack." Kevin Bayliss, the designer of the original Donkey Kong 64 characters, provided the cover album and inserts.
The DK Rap was featured in last year's blockbuster The Super Mario Bros. Movie, though Kirkhope was not credited for the film, marking the only instance of such an omission. Since then, the song has appeared in multiple games, most notably as stage music in various Super Smash Bros. games, with Kirkhope consistently credited as the original composer in all other instances.
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