DK Rap Composer Reveals Lack of Credit in Super Mario Bros. Movie

Grant Kirkhope, renowned for his work on games like Donkey Kong 64, recently shed light on why he was not credited for the DK Rap in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. In a conversation with Eurogamer, Kirkhope revealed that Nintendo decided against crediting composers for music they own, except for Koji Kondo. This policy initially excluded the DK Rap, but was later adjusted to include vocal tracks. However, the final decision reverted, leaving Kirkhope and others uncredited.

Kirkhope expressed his disappointment, noting that by the time the credits rolled, the theater was nearly empty, making the lack of credit even more poignant. He shared his frustration on social media in 2023, lamenting the absence of his name in the movie credits.

The DK Rap, which Kirkhope contributed to with guitar work while the "lads from Rare" handled vocals, was sampled in a way Kirkhope described as "bizarre," akin to directly sampling from an N64. Despite this, neither Kirkhope nor the other contributors received recognition.

When asked about the potential inclusion of the DK Rap in the Nintendo Music App, Kirkhope speculated it might be possible since Nintendo owns the rights. However, he hinted at Nintendo's lukewarm reception to Donkey Kong 64, suggesting it might affect such decisions.

Interestingly, while Donkey Kong 64 isn't part of the N64 Switch Online lineup, elements like the Rambi theme may appear in upcoming projects like Donkey Kong Bananza. Kirkhope's full interview with Eurogamer delves deeper into these topics, including discussions on potential new projects like Banjo Kazooie and the role of nostalgia in gaming.

Meanwhile, the Super Mario Bros. franchise continues to expand, with a new movie set to release in April 2026.