DK Rap composer explains why Nintendo didn't credit him in the Super Mario Bros. Movie

Composer Grant Kirkhope has shed light on why he wasn’t credited by Nintendo in the Super Mario Bros. Movie for the inclusion of his DK Rap from Donkey Kong 64.

Back in 2023 after the film’s release, Kirkhope shared his frustration on social media, calling the decision “fucking depressing”. Other pieces of licensed music were fully credited.

Speaking to Eurogamer, Kirkhope explained how he spoke with Nintendo after the film’s release but the company made the decision to not credit any music it owns – including the DK Rap.

“I did have communication with Nintendo as I wanted to find out why they just didn’t put my name on it,” said Kirkhope.

“They said we decided that any music that was quoted from the games that we owned, we wouldn’t credit the composers – apart from Koji Kondo. Then they decided anything with a vocal would get credited, so the DK Rap scores there. But then they decided if we also own it, we won’t credit the composers. And that was the final nail in the coffin.