The catchy, chaotic, and now-iconic "DK Rap" introduced a generation to Donkey Kong’s crew in 1999. But for the man who composed it, the track's recent high-profile revivals have been a source of frustration, not celebration, due to a surprising lack of credit from Nintendo.
Grant Kirkhope, the veteran composer behind classic Nintendo 64 soundtracks like Banjo-Kazooie and GoldenEye 007, is speaking out once again about his uncredited work on The Super Mario Bros. Movie. In a new interview, he reveals the official—and what he describes as "arbitrary"—reason Nintendo gave for omitting his name, a policy that has since repeated itself with the recent release of Donkey Kong Bananza on the Nintendo Switch 2.
For those who might not recall, the opening of Donkey Kong 64 is unforgettable. A funky, hip-hop track kicks in, complete with lyrics introducing each Kong with over-the-top bravado. This was the "DK Rap," composed by Kirkhope and performed by Rare designer George Andreas. What started as a tongue-in-cheek joke has since cemented itself as a beloved piece of video game nostalgia.
So, when the track made a surprise appearance during Donkey Kong’s cinematic debut in 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, fans were thrilled. Kirkhope, however, was not.
"I Was So Pissed": The Movie Snub That Stung
In a candid conversation with Push to Talk, Kirkhope didn't hold back about his feelings. “I tell you what, I still haven’t watched the movie yet,” he admitted. “I’ve seen that bit with the rap. But I was so pissed, I haven't watched it.”
This isn't a new sentiment. Back in 2023, when the film first hit theaters, the composer took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his initial disappointment, writing, “still haven’t seen the Mario movie …. can’t bring myself to watch it.” His public frustration went viral, resonating with fans and fellow developers who understood the importance of creative recognition.
The social media outcry prompted Kirkhope to leverage a professional relationship he had rebuilt with Nintendo. This connection was forged when he was brought on to arrange his classic Banjo-Kazooie music for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in 2019. He reached out to his contact seeking answers. The response he received, which came from Nintendo’s legal team, was both clarifying and disheartening.
Nintendo's "Arbitrary" Three-Rule Policy for Credits
According to Kirkhope, Nintendo’s legal team outlined a specific, three-point policy governing credits for music from games they own. The composer summarized the policy succinctly: “They said we decided that any music that was quoted from the games we owned, we wouldn’t credit the composers - apart from Koji Kondo.”
Koji Kondo, the legendary composer behind the main themes for Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, was the sole exception to this rule. For Kirkhope, this "arbitrary" distinction was a hard pill to swallow. It meant that despite his integral role in creating a piece of Nintendo's musical history, he would not be formally acknowledged when it was used in a blockbuster film.
History Repeats: The "Getaway" in Donkey Kong Bananza
Just as the wounds from the movie snub began to scab over, the situation repeated itself. With the recent launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, the platform's flagship Donkey Kong title, Donkey Kong Bananza, featured a music track list that included the DK Rap. However, fans quickly noticed the track had been renamed to “Getaway.”
Once again, Kirkhope was caught off guard. He was not informed of the track's inclusion in the new game and, mirroring the Super Mario Bros. Movie fiasco, he received no credit for its use.
Fans Side with the Composer
The gaming community has overwhelmingly sided with Kirkhope. Across social media platforms, fans and commentators have expressed their dismay at Nintendo's handling of the situation. One user on X perfectly encapsulated the general sentiment, stating:
This comment highlights a key point of contention: while Nintendo undeniably owns the legal rights to the music from Donkey Kong 64, many argue that ethical ownership and basic professional courtesy should extend to crediting the original creators.
The full interview, which delves deeper into Kirkhope's career and his complex relationship with the industry, is available now on Push to Talk.
For now, the legacy of the DK Rap remains a bittersweet one for Grant Kirkhope. A composition born from a joke became a cultural touchstone, yet its success has been shadowed by a fight for the simple recognition that many in the creative fields know is anything but simple.
It’s kind of the same as how Nintendo disrespects Grant Kirkhope. His DK Rap is all over Bananza, and was in the movie, but they don’t credit him. Yes, the rights are owned by the companies, but they don’t have to go out of their way to be d****.
— Lanolin Fan (@LanolinFan) October 8, 2024
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