DK Rap Composer Reveals Why Nintendo Omitted His Credit in Movie

Composer Grant Kirkhope expressed his disappointment over not being credited for the inclusion of his iconic DK Rap in the Super Mario Bros. Movie. Despite his communication with Nintendo, he learned that the company had a policy of not crediting composers for music they owned, aside from Koji Kondo. This decision was particularly frustrating as the DK Rap was directly sampled from the original game without re-recording. Kirkhope lamented the lack of recognition during the film's credits and speculated on why Nintendo might not favor Donkey Kong 64. The conversation also touched on the potential future for music from Nintendo titles in their upcoming music app.

Grant Kirkhope was not credited because Nintendo has a policy of not crediting composers for music they own, which affected his DK Rap despite its inclusion in the film.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie released in 2023 marked a significant moment for the franchise, showcasing beloved characters and familiar music from various titles. The DK Rap, originally featured in Donkey Kong 64, has a nostalgic value among fans, but it remains absent from modern Nintendo offerings like the Switch Online collection. The film's success has led to speculation about Nintendo's direction with their iconic franchises and how their music may be utilized in future projects.