It\u2019s a known, recorded fact that the grooviest pooch to grace the Animal Crossing series is based on Animal Crossing sound designer Kazumi Tokata. But that doesn\u2019t mean that there weren\u2019t other influences involved in the creation of the K dog, who Animal Crossing Wiki describe as a \u2018hippie-style travelling musician\u2019. As the canine\u2019s trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl informs us, \u2018he can play music from all genres\u2019. His oeuvre includes such diverse tunes as \u2018K.K Folk\u2019, \u2018K.K. Rock\u2019 and \u2018K.K. Country\u2019. Remind you of anybody?<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
While I\u2019ve been thinking about this comparison for some time, unlike the previous Tom Nook\/Donald Trump post, this idea has been in the air for a while. Matilda<\/em> actress Mara Wilson tweeted back in 2020 that the freewheelin\u2019 dogen represents \u2018a mix of Bob Dylan and Harry Styles that somehow works\u2019. While I disagree with the latter comparison, there is something to be said for a link between K.K. Slider and the Zimmermeister. They\u2019ve both been through some dramatic changes in genre over their sizable careers. They\u2019re both radical dudes who prefer the wild side of life. Dylan\u2019s \u2018Blowing in the Wind\u2019 was even given its own honorary K.K. remix on YouTube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like Mr Slider, Robert Allen Zimmerman changed his name to a now more familiar moniker. While the reign of D.J. K.K. appeared and hasn\u2019t been seen again since the release of Animal Crossing New Leaf, it was nonetheless a bold persona that explored new territories. Sure, it was disconcerting to see the normally naked dog (notably the only animal in the Animal Crossing series to be at ease in his birthday suit) donning a black cap, black glasses and headphones, but it was a bold statement nonetheless. One which not all his fanbase might have been cool with. Dylan met with many dissenters during his musical transformation, and the K dog is simply following in his footsteps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, let\u2019s get into some hard evidence. Neither Dylan nor the Slider dawg place any value on capitalist culture. Speaking to journalist Michael Iachetta of the New York Daily Times in the spring of 1967 (the first journalist that Dylan spoke to following a motorbike accident), the musician said: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018What\u2019s money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n The green holds no value for Dylan, prioritising the cultivation of the self over financial gain. Sometimes after the player has listened to one of K.K.\u2019s shows in Wild World, he\u2019ll inform them that: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Those industry fat cats try to put a price on my music, but it wants to be free\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n The K dog doesn\u2019t want to see those capitalist Tom Nooks of the world getting their grubby mitts on his tunes and selling them for profit. A fan even crafted some K.K. hats in appreciation of The Slider\u2019s freewheelin\u2019 ways, quoting the \u2018industry fat cats\u2019 mantra in their article\u2019s opening title. Admittedly, we see some of Slider\u2019s CDs on sale in New Leaf at the T+T Mart. I\u2019m gonna blame Tom Nook and his bootlegging nefariousness for that crime though, and I\u2019ll hope Timmy and Tommy have yet to be corrupted. We see a similar situation in New Horizons, but again, I\u2019d put down the songs\u2019 purchasable availability down to the greed of Nook capitalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s also hardly a secret that Dylan was a fan of recreational drugs back in his heyday. In the swinging 60s, the BBC reported Dylan remarking on his recovery from heroin, stating that he \u2018got very, very strung out for a while, I mean really, very strung out. And I kicked the habit. I had about a $25-a day habit and I kicked it\u2019. Now, I\u2019m not saying K.K. Slider ever dabbled with that stuff. The dude\u2019s an animated character. An animated character in a children\u2019s video game series. Nonetheless, evidence of his previous shady dealings with the good stuff can be found in New Leaf when you\u2019re employed by barista Brewster at your local caf\u00e9. If K.K. comes calling round this establishment and you present him with his favourite caffeinated beverage, he\u2019ll note appreciatively that \u2018that\u2019s some fine voodoo you brew\u2019. It looks like the K dog\u2019s still hooked on that sweet psychedelic goodness, and he\u2019s just implied that he\u2019s in cahoots with our old pal Brewster and his questionable selection of ingredients. Groovy, man.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s a known, recorded fact that the grooviest pooch to grace the Animal Crossing series is based on Animal Crossing sound designer Kazumi Tokata. But that doesn\u2019t mean that there weren\u2019t other influences involved in the creation of the K dog, who Animal Crossing Wiki describe as a \u2018hippie-style travelling musician\u2019. As the canine\u2019s trophy … <\/p>\n