Grant Kirkhope, renowned for his work on games like Donkey Kong 64, has shed light on why he was not credited for the use of the DK Rap in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. In a conversation with Eurogamer, Kirkhope revealed that Nintendo opted not to credit composers for any music they own, with the exception of Koji Kondo. This decision was further complicated by the rule that vocal tracks would be credited, which initially seemed to favor the DK Rap, only for Nintendo to reverse this due to their ownership of the song.

Kirkhope expressed his disappointment, noting the futility of credits appearing long after audiences had left the theater. He shared his frustration on social media in 2023, lamenting the absence of his name in the movie credits despite his anticipation.

The DK Rap, which Kirkhope contributed to with his guitar playing alongside vocals from the "lads from Rare," was sampled in a manner Kirkhope described as "bizarre," suggesting it was directly taken from the N64 game and looped.

Regarding the potential inclusion of the DK Rap in the Nintendo Music App, Kirkhope speculated that it could happen, given Nintendo's ownership of the track. However, he mentioned a rumor that Nintendo was not particularly fond of Donkey Kong 64, which might affect such decisions.

While Donkey Kong 64 is absent from the N64 Switch Online lineup, elements from the game, like the Rambi theme, are expected in Donkey Kong Bananza. Kirkhope's full interview with Eurogamer also touches on other topics, including the prospects of a new Banjo Kazooie and the nostalgic appeal of game soundtracks.

Looking ahead, the Mario movie franchise is set to expand with a new Super Mario Bros. movie slated for release in April 2026.