Grant Kirkhope, the composer for classic titles like Donkey Kong 64, has clarified why his name was omitted from the credits of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, despite the inclusion of the iconic DK Rap.
In an interview with Eurogamer, Kirkhope shared that he contacted Nintendo after the film’s release. The company explained its policy of not crediting composers for music it fully owns—including the DK Rap—except for Koji Kondo.
“They told me that any music quoted from the games that Nintendo owns would not receive composer credits, except for Koji Kondo,” Kirkhope recalled. “They later noted that tracks with vocals would be credited, putting the DK Rap in that category. But since they also own it, they ultimately decided against crediting the composers. That was the final decision.”
“I understand they have policies,” he continued, “but by the time the credits roll, the theater is nearly empty. Only my wife, kids, and I were left, hoping to see my name. I mentioned that a few lines of text wouldn’t hurt, but that was the end of it.”
In 2023, Kirkhope expressed his disappointment online about being left out of the credits, posting: “I was really looking forward to seeing my name credited for the DK Rap, but as expected, it wasn't there… fml.”
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
— Grant Kirkhope (@grantkirkhope) April 5, 2023
While another Nintendo-owned track, Bowser’s Fury, was also uncredited, licensed songs in the film did include composer and performer acknowledgments.
Kirkhope also described the film’s use of the DK Rap as “bizarre,” likening it to someone “plugging in an N64, sampling the track, and looping it.” He performed guitar on the original, while Rare staff handled the vocal “D-K” parts—yet none received credit.
When asked by Eurogamer if the DK Rap might appear on the Nintendo Music App—given Nintendo’s ownership—Kirkhope responded thoughtfully.
“I wonder,” he said. “They’ve added some of David Wise’s music. They own everything, so it’s their call. I’ve heard through the grapevine that Nintendo wasn’t particularly fond of Donkey Kong 64 back when we were at Rare. Whether that’s true, I don’t know.”
As Eurogamer noted, Donkey Kong 64 is not currently part of the N64 library on Nintendo Switch Online, although the Rambi theme appears set to feature in Donkey Kong Banana. Only time will tell.
For more from Kirkhope, read the full interview on Eurogamer, where he discusses the chances of a new Banjo-Kazooie, the Donkey Kong Banana project, and the evocative power of nostalgic game music.
As for the Mario film series, a sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie is now in development, slated for release in April 2026.
