Grant Kirkhope, renowned for his work on games like Donkey Kong 64, has shed light on why his name was omitted from the credits of The Super Mario Bros. Movie despite the inclusion of the DK Rap. In a candid interview with Eurogamer, Kirkhope revealed that Nintendo opted not to credit composers for any music they own, with the exception of Koji Kondo. This policy extended to songs with vocals, which initially seemed to favor the DK Rap, but ultimately, Nintendo's ownership led to Kirkhope's exclusion.
Kirkhope expressed his disappointment, noting that by the time the credits rolled, the theater was nearly empty, leaving only his family to celebrate his contribution. He lamented the decision, pointing out that a few lines of text could have made a significant difference to him. His frustration was evident in a 2023 social media post where he expressed his anticipation and subsequent disappointment at not seeing his name in the credits.
Interestingly, while the DK Rap and another Nintendo-owned track, Bowser's Fury, went uncredited, licensed songs in the film did receive proper acknowledgment. Kirkhope described the use of the DK Rap in the movie as "bizarre," likening it to a direct sample from the N64 game, and mentioned his uncredited guitar work alongside the "lads from Rare" who performed the iconic "D-K" chant.
The conversation also touched on the potential for the DK Rap to be featured on the Nintendo Music App. Kirkhope speculated on this possibility, noting that while some of David Wise's work has been included, Nintendo's apparent lukewarm reception to Donkey Kong 64 might hinder such a move.
For fans interested in more from Kirkhope, the full Eurogamer interview delves into topics like the prospects of a new Banjo Kazooie game, the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza, and the role of nostalgia in gaming music. Meanwhile, the Super Mario Bros. franchise continues to expand, with a new movie slated for release in April 2026.
