DK Rap composer calls out Super Mario Bros Movie after spotting credits: ‘That’s depressing’
Grant Kirkhope composed the iconic song for the 1999 Nintendo game
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.“The DK Rap” composer Grant Kirkhope has hit out at The Super Mario Bros Movie for failing to credit him.
Kirkhope created “The DK Rap” for the 1999 Nintendo game Donkey Kong 64. Following its release, the track has gone on to become an iconic part of the famous game.
Prior to the release of The Super Mario Bros Movie on Wednesday (5 April), Seth Rogen – who voices Donkey Kong – revealed that the legendary tune would be included in the new film.
In response, Kirkhope expressed his excitement on Twitter, writing: “If you’d told me in ‘97, when I wrote the rap track in the history of rap tracks, that it would go on to be in a Mario Bros movie, I would’ve burst with excitement. Long live the DK Rap!”
After seeing the film, however, the composer’s excitement turned to disappointment when he realised that he had not been credited at all.
“Well, that’s f***ing depressing,” he tweeted on Wednesday (5 April) after attending a screening.
In a later tweet, Kirkhope explained: “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.”
As noticed by Eurogamer, other pieces of licensed music used in the film are fully credited to their composers and performers, including Koji Kondo.
Instead of listing Kirkhope as a composer, the credits for “DK Rap” simply read: “From Donkey Kong 64.”
Fans have rallied around Kirkhope. One person wrote: “Yeah Grant, I was looking out for your credit. Makes no sense that they attribute ‘the game’ as its writer. I’m sorry. It upset me too.”
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
The Independent has contacted a representative of Universal Pictures and Nintendo for comment.
Since the film’s release, it has received mostly negative reviews. In a two-star review for The Independent, film critic Clarisse Loughrey writes: “Chris Pratt displays all the vigour of a contractual obligation.”
Chris Pratt voices Mario alongside Rogen as Donkey Kong and Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments