Why Grant Kirkhope Was Not Credited for the DK Rap in The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Grant Kirkhope, acclaimed composer behind the iconic "DK Rap" from Donkey Kong 64, recently addressed why his contribution was uncredited in The Super Mario Bros.

Movie, despite the song’s memorable appearance in the 2023 animated blockbuster.

Kirkhope’s original work on the DK Rap, first featured in Nintendo’s 1999 platformer Donkey Kong 64, remains one of the most recognized tracks in the franchise, merging infectious beats with tongue-in-cheek lyrics that have cemented its place in gaming history. The Super Mario Bros.

Movie, produced by Nintendo and Illumination and released worldwide in April 2023, became an instant box office success, grossing over $1 billion and introducing Mario and Donkey Kong’s universes to new audiences.

The film is notable for incorporating a variety of classic Nintendo themes and revisiting beloved characters, with the DK Rap serving as an energetic highlight. In a recent interview with Eurogamer, Grant Kirkhope explained the circumstances surrounding the omission of his credit for the DK Rap.

Upon learning from test screenings that the rap would appear in the film, Kirkhope assumed it was temporary and might not feature in the final release.

When it did, and he noticed a lack of composer acknowledgment, he contacted Nintendo directly.

According to Kirkhope, Nintendo’s policy is to not credit composers for music sourced from games the company owns—outside of select cases like Koji Kondo.

Any in-game music featuring vocals would be credited unless it was an in-house Nintendo property, leaving Kirkhope excluded despite his integral role in crafting the song. Kirkhope recounted, “I reached out to Nintendo to ask about the absence of my name in the credits.

Their response was that they don’t credit composers for any music they fully own, unless it’s for artists like Koji Kondo.

Even if a song has vocals and would normally warrant a credit, if Nintendo owns it outright, the composers aren’t included.

That was their policy.

I conveyed my feelings, emphasizing how meaningful a credit would be, but ultimately, their decision stood.” The conversation also touched on the DK Rap’s future availability, such as a potential inclusion in the Nintendo Music app.

Kirkhope’s response remained uncertain, noting past rumors at Rare about Nintendo’s mixed feelings toward Donkey Kong 64, though these remain unconfirmed. Looking ahead, Nintendo continues to expand the Donkey Kong franchise.

Donkey Kong Bananza is set for release on the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 platform this summer, offering fans a fresh experience and updated character designs. Grant Kirkhope’s reflections highlight ongoing debates about composer recognition in major gaming adaptations.

His legacy, celebrated by fans across generations, underscores the lasting impact of original musical works in Nintendo’s storied franchises.

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