The 8-Bit Big Band's Jazz Arrangement of Persona 5's "Last Surprise" Earns Grammy Nomination
The acclaimed jazz orchestra, The 8-Bit Big Band, has received a Grammy nomination for their captivating jazz rendition of Persona 5's iconic battle theme, "Last Surprise." This marks their second Grammy nomination, following their 2022 win for their "Meta Knight's Revenge" cover.
This exciting new nomination places the group's "Last Surprise" cover in the running for "Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals" at the 2025 Grammy Awards. The arrangement features Grammy Award-winning musician Jake Silverman (Button Masher) on synth and the powerful vocals of Jonah Nilsson (Dirty Loops).
"Just nominated for my 4th Grammy IN A ROW!!!," bandleader Charlie Rosen exclaimed on X (formerly Twitter). "LONG LIVE VIDEO GAME MUSIC!!!" The post highlights Rosen's own accomplishments, but this nomination underscores the growing recognition of video game music within the mainstream music industry.
The 8-Bit Big Band's innovative take on "Last Surprise" will compete against notable artists like Willow Smith and John Legend. The 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony will be held on February 2nd.
Persona 5's soundtrack, composed by Shoji Meguro, is renowned for its distinctive acid jazz style. "Last Surprise," however, stands out as a particular fan favorite, its energetic rhythm and memorable melodies having become synonymous with the game's challenging dungeon battles (Palaces). The 8-Bit Big Band's cover skillfully honors the original while adding a fresh, jazz-infused layer, reflecting the signature sound of Jonah Nilsson's band, Dirty Loops. The inclusion of Button Masher further enhances the harmonic complexity, adding a sophisticated depth to the already vibrant track.
2025 Grammy Nominees 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, securing a nomination every year since the category's inception.
The increasing recognition of video game music at the Grammys highlights its growing cultural impact. Covers like The 8-Bit Big Band's demonstrate the enduring power of these compositions and their capacity to inspire fresh, engaging interpretations for wider audiences.
