List of references in music

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This article is about references to the Mario games in music. For official music of the Mario franchise, see List of albums.

Due to the popularity of the Mario franchise, the games have been referenced numerous times in popular songs.

ASAP Ferg

Perfume

ASAP Ferg's debut mixtape includes this song, with the line, "And I click like Donkey Kong when I hit this long".

ASAP Mob

Young N***a Living

The instrumental to this track from their debut album incorporates a sound clip of Yoshi dying from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.

Alessia Cara

Nintendo Game

The song features references to actions commonly used in Nintendo games, featuring the line, "All the trash talk is getting old, I'd rather try my hand at Rainbow Road".

Alestorm

The cover art for Alestorm's Curse of the Crystal Coconut

The title of Alestorm's sixth studio album, Curse of the Crystal Coconut, is inspired by the Donkey Kong franchise. One of the album's tracks is a cover of "Pirate Scorn" from the Donkey Kong Country television series. Additionally, the album's cover art features several references to the Donkey Kong franchise, such as an eponymous Crystal Coconut from Donkey Kong 64, the skeletal remains of a gorilla wearing a red tie, a floating DK Coin, and several Klomps from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, as well as generic Donkey Kong motifs such as bananas and barrels, including a TNT Barrel.

Alex Day

I Hate Mario Kart Wii

From Alex Day's 117% Complete single, Alex Day describes his hatred for Mario Kart Wii and explains what happens as the race he is playing is progressing. The song can be listened to here.

Allison

Super Mario Bros.

A remake of the Super Mario Bros. 3 theme by Taller Para Niños.

Apathy

Can't Leave Rap Alone

This song features this line from fellow rapper Celph Titled: "I'm like Donkey Kong, I got you niggas dodgin' my barrels".

Ashnikko

STUPID

The song "STUPID" by Ashnikko, featuring Baby Tate, features Ashnikko saying the line, "I'm sweet, then I'm sour, I'm big boss Bowser".

Asher Roth

Lark On My Go-Kart

Asher Roth raps, "Mario Kart skills are outrageous," in this song from his first album.

B1A4

What's Going On? Why?

In the music video for South Korean boy band B1A4's Japanese single What's Going On? Why?, member Gongchan's set is directly based on the Super Mario series.

Baby Keem

France Freestyle

On the song "France Freestyle" by Baby Keem, from his second mixtape, Die For My Bitch, he says the line "beat the box like Bowser".

Bad Meets Evil

I'm On Everything

The song, by hip-hop duo, Bad Meets Evil (composed of Eminem and Royce da 5'9"), references Mario in the line "Me and visions on 'shrooms, call us the Mario Brothers".

Big Gigantic

Just the Same

This song by EDM, hip hop and jazz production duo features guest vocals by rappers Vic Mensa and Mick Jenkins, with Vic Mensa's verse featuring the line, "States attorneys jump on n**gas heads like Mario".

Big Sean

Ashley

On the song "Ashley", featuring singer Miguel, Big Sean in the second verse says the following lines: "It's been weird since I went out west and did an album with no I.D and ain't came back since". This was followed by a sample of Mario grunting from Super Mario 64.

Jump Out the Window

Big Sean has a line in the first verse in the song in which he recalls, "Remember when you used to though and hit the Mario Kart / And you always picked the princess."

Belmont

Bowser's Mixtape and Bowser's Castle

Cover to Bowser's Mixtape.

In 2021, the band Belmont released a mixtape titled Bowser's Mixtape after the first song in the tracklisting, "Bowser's Castle". The song was later included in the 2022 single release of "Parasitic", which was comprised of three different songs, "Bowser's Castle" being one of them.

Blood on the Dance Floor

It's On Like Donkey Kong

The song title mentions Donkey Kong's name, and the phrase itself is repeated throughout the chorus.

BTS

War of Hormone

The song features the coin and power-up sound effects from Super Mario Bros..

Buckner & Garcia

Do the Donkey Kong

The song debuted in the 1982 album, Pac-Man Fever. The song was later released as a single in May 1982. The song is based the Donkey Kong arcade game and features many of the game's sound effects as well as some of the in-game music.

Cardi B

I Like It

During the first verse, Cardi B raps "'Bout my coins like Mario!"

Chamillionaire

Rapper Chamillionaire's nick name is Koopa or King Koopa, and occasionally in songs he introduces himself as such. He has also been referred to as such by fellow rappers such as in the song "Knockin Doorz Down" by Pimp C.

Game Gonna Cost a Fee

In the song "Game Gonna Cost a Fee" it is mentioned that "I ride with bananas and shells like Mario and Luigi", "bananas" and "shells" referring (respectively) to banana clips and shotgun shells.

Chance the Rapper

All Day Long

The song "All Day Long" from Chance the Rapper's debut studio album, The Big Day, has the line "But that boy advance gotta be bigger than Diddy Kong".

Charli XCX

English singer Charli XCX has officially collaborated with Nintendo to release "We Are Born to Play", a theme song for Super Nintendo World.

Boys

On the song "Boys" by Charli XCX, a modified version of the Super Mario Bros. coin effect sound is looped throughout the track's instrumental.

Childish Gambino

American Royalty

A line in this song states he has "balls like Bowser".

Eat Your Vegetables

The instrumental to this song samples "Aquatic Ambience," the music for the underwater levels in Donkey Kong Country.

Chris Webby

Roll

This rap song features the line "Donkey Kong in the flesh like the ape loose".

Das Racist

Rainbow in the Dark

Kool A.D.'s verse includes the line, "Like Don King playing Donkey Kong Country at his cousin's house".

deadmau5

On his performance during The Game Awards 2015, the Canadian artist included remixed versions of The Evil King Bowser and Haunted House BGM from Super Mario World.

Denzel Curry

Envy Me

Florida rapper, Denzel Curry, includes the line "I'm shroomed out my mental like Mario Bros." in this song.

SPACEGHOSTPUSSY (RIP YAMS)

This diss track by Denzel Curry features a guest verse from Ski Mask the Slump God who says the line: "Princess Peach jewelry my bitch".

Pyro (2019 Leak)

In this track from his collaboration EP with producer Kenny Beats, he says the line "Fire flows like I'm red and white Mario" in reference to Mario's Fire Mario ability from the original Super Mario Bros..

DJ Scheme

E-ER

DJ Scheme is a hip hop producer, and member of the hip hop collective Members Only. His debut album, FAMILY, features this song which features Ski Mask the Slump God, Danny Towers and Lil Yachty. Ski Mask the Slump God's verse features the lines, "On the patio fucking Princess's peach, Mario / Yellow Louis V overalls on me, look like Wario".

Drake

6 God

The instrumental to this song samples the "Haunted Chase" track from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest.

Dunderpatrullen

Touch Fuzzy, Get Dizzy

The song's title references the level of the same name from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.

Eminem

Despicable (Freestyle)

In "Despicable" (Freestyle) rap by Eminem (which was originally a song by Drake), Eminem mentions the lines "the game I just about conquered it like Donkey Kong".

Rap God

In the official music video, a scene displays a TV screen playing the original Super Mario Bros., albeit modified to avoid copyright.

Tone Deaf

In this song exclusive to the deluxe edition of the album Music To Be Murdered By, Eminem says in the first verse, "Stuck inside of a Mario Kart race duckin' saw blades". Additionally, in the official lyric video, silhouettes of Eminem driving in Mario Kart-like vehicles are displayed on screen when said line is rapped.

Epic Rap Battles of History

Mario Bros vs Wright Bros.

Youtube channel, Epic Rap Battles of History, created a video rap battle with Mario and Luigi battling the Wright Bros. Princess Peach and Donkey Kong are mentioned once each, with a line stating: "Your princess is in our castle now, yeah she's gone, cause stayed up all night playing Donkey Kong".

Far East Movement

Rocketeer

One line in the middle of "Rocketeer" is "We're on some next level, Super Mario."

Fetty Wap

Yoshi

The thirteenth song off Fetty Wap's second major studio album is titled "Yoshi", after the Mario character.

Flatbush Zombies

The Results Are In

This song contains a sample of Yoshi saying his name, after the line "No chain on, gold teeth, blowing Yoshi".

Freezepop

I Am Not Your Gameboy

The song is told from a Game Boy's point of view asking the listener not to insert games such as Tetris, Donkey Kong, Super Mario and other Game Boy games.

He Is Legend

The Seduction

Towards the end, there is the line "I've got to find the princess, she's in another castle".

Hobo Johnson

Mario & Link

"Mario & Link" uses sound effects from various video games, including Mario games, and directly samples Peach's dialogue from the end of Super Mario 64. It begins with the lines: "Hello there, uh, it's Frank and this song is dedicated to Mario and Link due to their undying perseverance which I'm not sure I should do the same of... Mario's never getting some and Link's never getting some so why should princesses love me?"

Horse the Band

Birdo

The song "Birdo" off Horse the Band's third album, The Mechanical Hand is loosely based off Birdo, and features electronic 8-bit sounds with an electric guitar. The song's inspiration and real meaning is mostly about the vocalist's distaste for eggs, and his traumatic childhood.

Ice Cube

Now I Gotta Wet 'Cha

The first line of the song is "It's on like Donkey Kong."

Jack Harlow

Movie Star

The song "Movie Star" featuring Pharrell Williams contains the line, "You know we get that bourbon out the barrel, Diddy Kong".

J. Cole

Daddy's Little Girl

Artist J. Cole says, in the song, "You lost to lookin' for a savior, I ain't Mario".

Trouble

In this song, he says the lines, "I'm Koopa, I never been the Mario type / No saving hoes".

'95 South

The song "'95 South" (stylized "9 5 . s o u t h") contains the line: "Could put a M right on your head, you Luigi brother now". The line is a play on words referring to placing a million-dollar (M) bounty on someone's life (their head), and him alluding that to the M on Mario's cap.

Jay Rock

ES Tales

The song's instrumental has a Super Mario Bros. coin sound effect used throughout.

Jellyfish

Ignorance is Bliss

Main article: Ignorance is Bliss

From the album White Knuckle Scorin', the song is narrated by Bowser, speaking to Princess Toadstool.

Jennifer Lopez

On the Floor

One of the lines said by rapper Pitbull is "And watch, shit gon’ get Donkey Konged."

JPEGMafia

Kenan Vs. Kel

On his sophomore album, All My Heroes Are Cornballs, JPEGMafia raps the following two lines in a verse: "I'm dressin' up like I'm Prince Peach / And if you sendin' in Marios to defend me".

Juice Wrld

From My Window

This song by the late Juice Wrld features the line "Mario Luigi, my bros 'til the bitter end".

Kero Kero Bonito

Sick Beat

The song's backing track is based around a sample of the "Star Select" jingle from Super Mario 64.

Kids See Ghosts

Reborn

On the Kid Cudi and Kanye West collaboration project, Kanye West includes the line in this song, "All of you Mario, it's all a game."

Kim Hyun-joong

Lucky Guy

A song by South Korean singer Kim Hyun-joong, his songs often contain various sound effects from the Super Mario series, including Jumping, Coins, and even the 1-Up sound.

KJ-52

Video Games

KJ-52's Christian-themed rap song contains various game references and sound effects. KJ-52 raps about how "I was down to one life and I didn't have another / but now I'm super like the Mario Brothers."

Lady Diane

Mario sa Amerika

This Filipino rap song is about Mario going to the United States, to the tune of the Ground Theme of Super Mario Bros.

Leaders of the New School

Syntax Era

One of the lyrics is "I'm Donkey Kong, fat freak the notes".

Lemon Demon

Fredhammer

One of the sound effects used in the song is Tanooki Mario shouting "Tanooki!" from Mario Kart 8.

Lights

Timing is Everything

One of the first lines of track 7 on Canadian musician Lights' 2011 album Siberia is "In the interim, the princess was in another castle."

Lil Dicky

Lemme Freak

The song's instrumental includes a sample of a Koopa Shell being kicked from the original Super Mario Bros.

Lil Wayne

No Worries

On this song, Lil Wayne states in the second verse: "Let me see that Donkey Kong".

Groupie Gang

On the song "Groupe Gang" from Dedication 6: Reloaded, Lil Wayne says, "Spit flame like my name King Koopa, mane".

Lil Yachty

RunRunning

On his debut mixtape, this particular song from rapper Lil Yachty features the instrumental to the Super Mario 64 file select screen, with coin sound effects edited in throughout.

Logan Whitehurst

What It's Like in Japan

"What It's Like in Japan" featured on the album "Very Tiny Songs", describes Japan (from where Mario was created) in a manner clearly modeled after a typical Super Mario Bros. level, featuring sound effects from the game and having its last line (That's what it's like when you go to Japan). The end is sung to the tune of Super Mario Bros.'s Game Over theme.

Logic

Super Mario World

The song's title is the same as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System game Super Mario World.

Wordplay

In the second verse, Logic says, "That Super Mario flow, I always get the 1-Up".

The Lonely Island

I Don't Give A Honk

Andy Samberg claims "We all know we're born with one hundred honks," to which Jorma Taccone adds, "But people throw them away like they were Donkey Konks."

Ludacris

Spur of the Movement

One of the lines is "We play Mario Brothers, we eat the 'shroom and get power."

Machine Gun Kelly

Alpha Omega

The song "Alpha Omega" from Machine Gun Kelly's General Admission album has the line "Where I’m from enemies bust off their shells like King Koopa".

Mac Miller

Blue Slide Park

This track from rapper Mac Miller's debut album of the same name includes the line: "We just tryna go bananas like it's Donkey Kong".

Major Lazer

Aerosol Can

One of the lines on the middle of the song is "Make yourself bigger like mushroom, Mario Kart."

MF Doom

Hoe Cakes

The song includes the following line: "Own his own throne, the boss like King Koopa".

The Mountain Goats

Thank You Mario But Our Princess in Another Castle

The song is sung from the perspective of Toad after being rescued by Mario. Inspired by the infamous line that is the song's title, Toad sings about the horrible time he had while being kidnapped.

The NESkimos

The NESkimos is a band that plays metal versions of music from Nintendo games, including Super Mario Bros. 3.

Newsboys

Restart

In the song's music video, a Super Star appears during the final few measures of the bridge.

Patent Pending

Hey Mario

From the 2013 album "Brighter", the songs talks about why Mario should stop rescuing Princess Peach. Games and sub-series like Mario Kart, Dr. Mario and Super Mario Galaxy are mentioned as well. The coin sound effect is also used in some lines.

Peabod

Roommates

In one line, the song mentions Mario Kart by saying, "We made an art out of Mario Kart, we're smart gents."

Phil J.

Shoot My Shot

In one line, the song mentions Mario and Bowser by saying, "Hotter than Bowser, this ain't super Mario."

The Preachers

Better Than It Ever Could Be

The song contains some notes from the ending theme of Super Mario Bros. 2.

Pusha T

Rock N Roll

The song "Rock N Roll" featuring artists, Kid Cudi and Kanye West, has rapper Pusha T saying the lines, "I been gettin' at these coins as I'm breakin' down the brick / Make the jump to each level, Super Mario exists".

Ruth B.

Princess Peach

Canadian R&B singer Ruth B. included a song titled "Princess Peach" in her sophomore album, Moments in Between.

Schoolboy Q

Break the Bank

The beat to "Break the Bank" by Schoolboy Q is produced by musician The Alchemist, who included a sample of Toad screaming from Mario Kart 64, slowed and faded, and played throughout the song.

Shelley FKA DRAM

Cha Cha

The song "Cha Cha" by Shelley FKA DRAM (artist formerly known as DRAM) has an instrumental that samples the Star Road theme from Super Mario World, and uses the staple coin effects throughout.

Ski Mask the Slump God

Bowser

Ski Mask the Slump God has a song titled "Bowser", featuring deceased rapper XXXTentacion, from the mixtape "Members Only, Vol. 3". The song features various pop culture references, including video games and television cartoons, but features no additional references to Mario outside from the song name.

Merlin's Staff

The song "Merlin's Staff" from his mixtape, Sin City The Mixtape, contains the lines "On the go like Mario, drive in a kart" and "Kickstand, stick-shift, Peach colored kart".

Nuketown

The song "Nuketown" from the album STOKELEY contains the line, "Ate a Mario mushroom quick, uh-huh".

Smif-N-Wessun

Super Brooklyn

The song samples the underground and overworld song from Super Mario Bros. and various sound effects from the game, such as the jump, lose a life, jump, or sliding down the flag sound effects. It is never officially released due to the unlicensed use of the music, though it is an underground hit in 1999 and led to a deal by Rawkus Records.

Snoop Dogg

The Bidness

One of the lyrics is "Half dog, half gorilla, bitch Donkey Kong".

Soulja Boy and Young L

Album cover to Mario & Domo vs. the World (2012)

Mario & Domo vs. the World

Rappers Soulja Boy and Young L (of the hip hop group The Pack) collaborated on a mixtape titled Mario & Domo vs. the World, released in 2012. The album cover features Mario in the Paper Mario style, with differently colored clothing, and NHK Japanese broadcast mascot, Domo facing each other. Most songs have the name Mario name-dropped in some fashion; for example, the song "Triple Chain Gang" has Soulja Boy saying the line "Mario, on my neck with Domo". In another song, "One", Mario's name is only briefly mentioned in the introduction when Soulja Boy is repeating his name four times and Mario's name two times before his verse actually begins.

Suicideboys

Genesis

The instrumental of this song samples the Game Over theme of Super Mario World.

Supah Mario

Supah Mario is the stage name for DeMario Priester, a hip hop music producer who has produced instrumentals to tracks for big name artists including Drake, Young Thug, 2 Chainz, and others.

Taller Para Niños

Super Mario Bros. 3

Spanish song by the Mexican group; only the last line in the song actually refers to Super Mario Bros. 3. Song was later covered by Mexican band Allison on their debut self-titled album, this time simply titled "Mario Bros. 3".

Tchami

Praise

The official music video contains many references to various video games, and at one point, French DJ Tchami goes through a map and enters a level which are both heavily based on Super Mario World.

Trace Adkins

Honky Tonk Badonkadonk

The country song makes a reference to Donkey Kong when Trace Adkins says "She's got it goin' on like Donkey Kong."

Tyga

Hijack

The song makes a reference to Bowser when the rapper says "Motherfucking beast bitch call me King Koopa."

Tyler, the Creator

What the Fuck Right Now

The song "What the Fuck Right Now" (stylized in all capital letters) by Tyler, the Creator includes the line, "I am a stormer, I am a trooper, I am a Koopa".

Waka Flocka Flame

Karma

This song from Waka Flocka Flame's debut album Flockaveli contains the line, "Ran up on his car, had him eating shells like Mario Go-Kart".

Wale

Double M Genius

On the song "Double M Genius" from Wale's Ambition album, he raps the line, "Crazy talking and foolish / You catch a shell like a Koopa".

Whethan

LOCK IT UP

Produced by DJ Whethan, this track features rappers midwxst, Yeat and Matt Ox, in which midwxst says this line in his verse: "I've been banging my chest like I'm DK, spin tracks like a DJ".

XXXTentacion

Came2Kill

The song "Came2Kill" from the mixtape, XXXTENTACION Presents: Members Only, Vol. 3 uses an edited version of the instrumental to Joke's End from Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga composed by Yoko Shimomura.

Bowser

This song "Bowser" from the mixtape "Members Only, Vol. 3" features rapper Ski Mask the Slump God, and it features various pop culture references, including video games and television cartoons, but features no additional references to Mario outside from the song name.

Yung Lean

Yung Lean is a Swedish rapper whose lyrics frequently reference video games. His music video to "Hurt" features video game related graphics and footage, such as including gameplay from Super Smash Bros. Melee. Some of his songs reference Mario, and two songs directly reference Mario in the title: "Yoshi City" and another titled "Princess Daisy".

Mario related references in his songs include the following:

• "In Tokyo, playing Mario" from "Hurt"
• "I'm Wario, when I'm in Mario Kart" in "Kyoto"
• "Super Mario everyday" in "5th Element"