Grant Kirkhope, renowned for his work on classics like Donkey Kong 64, has shed light on why he was not credited in The Super Mario Bros. Movie for the DK Rap. In a candid interview with Eurogamer, Kirkhope revealed that Nintendo made a strategic decision not to credit composers for music they own, except for Koji Kondo. This policy extended to any music with vocals, but ultimately, the ownership of the DK Rap by Nintendo led to Kirkhope's exclusion from the credits.
Kirkhope shared his disappointment, noting that by the time the credits rolled in the movie, the theater was nearly empty, leaving only his family to see his potential recognition. He expressed his frustration on social media in 2023, stating, "I was really looking forward to see my name in the credits for the DK Rap, but alas as expected it's not there ........ fml."
Interestingly, while other Nintendo-owned tracks like Bowser's Fury were also not credited, external licensed tracks did receive proper acknowledgment for their composers and performers. Kirkhope described the sampling of the DK Rap in the film as "bizarre," likening it to a direct loop from the N64 version, despite his guitar contribution and the vocal parts by the "lads from Rare" going uncredited.
When asked about the potential inclusion of the DK Rap in the Nintendo Music App, Kirkhope speculated that it might be possible since Nintendo owns the rights. However, he mentioned a rumored dislike of Donkey Kong 64 by Nintendo, which might affect such decisions.
Eurogamer also pointed out that Donkey Kong 64 is notably absent from the N64 Switch Online lineup, although the Rambi theme is expected to feature in Donkey Kong Bananza. For those interested in more from Kirkhope, the full interview on Eurogamer delves into topics like the prospects of a new Banjo Kazooie, Donkey Kong Bananza, and the essence of nostalgic sound in gaming.
Meanwhile, fans of Mario can look forward to a new Super Mario Bros. movie set to premiere in April 2026, continuing the cinematic journey of the beloved franchise.
