My Favourite Knuckles Rap

(this question from @qazimod)

[What is] your favourite Knuckles rap

Well they’re all my favourite, of course! Sonic Adventure 2 wouldn’t be half the game it is without the rap songs on Knuckles’ stages. They’re a definite high point, even if the Knuckles stages themselves are… not the best the game has to offer.

As for which of my favourites is the best, it may perhaps be prudent to let you have a listen to each, and let me break them down for you.

Aquatic Mine – “Dive into the Mellow”

Laid back and with a Warren G Regulate vibe, the lyrics are a mixture of what you need to do in the level, how Knuckles loves to chill, and how being in a coal pit makes you want to just sit back and observe I just left a gang of tho-oh wait. That is Regulate.

Once was a coal pit, but now it’s a water ride,
Makes you wanna sit back, enjoy the life,
And do things you like doing, get to shine.

Pumpkin Hill – “A Ghost’s Pumpkin Soup”

Like Limp Bizkit’s Rollin’, but with more rap and less profanity, A Ghost Pumpkin’s Soup tells the continuing story of Knuckles digging into things with his, erm, knuckles, while our hero is constantly being spooked by ghosts and the wind, and pretty much everything. But it’s OK! He’s not really scared!

I ain’t gonna let it get to me, I’m just gonna creep,
Down in Pumpkin Hill I gots to find my lost piece.
I know that it’s here, I can sense it in my feet,
The great Emerald’s power allows me to feel.

Wild Canyon – “Kick the Rock”

Oh hell no! That Rouge (slightingly referred to as a “stitch”, rather than a “bitch” – PC gone mad) has gone done stolen the emeralds and Knuckles ain’t happy. This track sounds a little like Beastie Boys’ Sure Shot with sax, and you can be sure that when it comes to getting his emeralds back, Knuckles can’t and won’t and don’t stop.

Ain’t nobody gon’ come here and eat my plate, no!
Yo what happened, my Emerald’s gone!
Somebody gonna get theirs quick, my word is born!
Who could’a did this, that stitch named Rouge!

Death Chamber – “Deeper”

What starts off sounding like a remix of the Sonic CD Palm Tree Panic Good Future theme, turns into a sax-laden Fun Lovin Criminals lost track. Rapping is on the down-low as much of the track is instrumental, bar the Death Chamber chanting. Knuckles also finally decides to work with Sonic to take down Eggman. For justice!

Eggman wants to steal our soul, keep the Emeralds and build a throne
(Death Chamber, Death Chamber, Death Chamber)
Not if I can help at all
I will not let him take it over

Meteor Herd – “Space Trip Steps”

A definite space feel to this final Knuckles Rap, with theremin warbling and shooting star noises. It borrows from Salt N Pepa’s 80’s hit Push It for the background, and tells the story of Knuckles floating around looking for emeralds, which he has, again, lost. It’s them hands of his I think, great for digging but ain’t no use for holding stuff.

Took a shuttle to space, and left from our home
At least we’re with friends, and I’m not all alone
Bad thing was, that the Emerald spilled
Got to search space, man, time to get in

So which is best?

Aw, don’t make me choose. Oh, I have to choose? Well, it’s Pumpkin Hill. Any song with the lyric “Had to back ’em up with the fist, metal crack ’em” has to win, right?