Grammy Nod Gives Persona 5's 'Last Surprise' a Boost

The 8-Bit Big Band's jazz arrangement of Persona 5's iconic "Last Surprise" has received a Grammy nomination! This exciting development highlights the growing recognition of video game music within the broader music industry. Let's delve into the details of this well-deserved accolade.

8-Bit Big Band's Second Grammy Nomination

The 8-Bit Big Band's vibrant jazz interpretation of "Last Surprise" is nominated for "Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals" at the 2025 Grammy Awards. This nomination features the talents of Grammy Award-winning musician Jake Silverman (Button Masher) on synth and Jonah Nilsson (Dirty Loops) on vocals. Bandleader Charlie Rosen expressed his excitement on Twitter (X), celebrating this as his fourth consecutive Grammy nomination and a testament to the enduring power of video game music. This marks the band's second Grammy nomination, following their 2022 win for their cover of "Meta Knight's Revenge."

The 8-Bit Big Band's "Last Surprise" will compete against notable artists like Willow Smith and John Legend in the same category. The 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled for February 2nd.

Persona 5's soundtrack, composed by Shoji Meguro, is renowned for its distinctive acid jazz style. "Last Surprise," in particular, resonates deeply with fans due to its prominent role in the game's Palace dungeons. Its infectious energy and memorable melodies have cemented its status as a fan favorite. The 8-Bit Big Band's cover skillfully honors the original while injecting its own creative flair, transforming the track into a captivating jazz fusion piece, leveraging the expertise of Dirty Loops' signature sound.

2025 Grammy Nominations for Best Video Game Score

The Grammy Awards also announced nominees for "Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media." This year's contenders include:

• Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (Pinar Toprak)
• God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla (Bear McCreary)
• Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (John Paesano)
• Star Wars Outlaws (Wilbert Roget, II)
• Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (Winifred Phillips)

Bear McCreary continues to make Grammy history with his nomination, marking his annual presence in this category since its inception.

The growing recognition of video game music through awards like the Grammys underscores its artistic merit and enduring appeal. Covers like The 8-Bit Big Band's "Last Surprise" demonstrate the power of these compositions to inspire new interpretations and reach wider audiences, ensuring their legacy continues to thrive.