Persona 5’s “Last Surprise” Grammy Nomination Brings Game Music to the Mainstream

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.

A Second Grammy Nomination for The 8-Bit Big Band

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. The track features the talents of Grammy Award-winning musician Jake Silverman (Button Masher) on synth and Jonah Nilsson (Dirty Loops) on vocals. This marks the band's second Grammy nomination, following their 2022 win for their cover of "Meta Knight's Revenge."

Bandleader Charlie Rosen expressed his excitement on Twitter (X), celebrating the nomination and the ongoing appreciation for video game music.

This remarkable cover will compete against other notable artists, including Willow Smith and John Legend, at the Grammy Awards ceremony on February 2nd, 2025.

The original "Last Surprise," composed by Shoji Meguro, is a beloved track from Persona 5, known for its infectious energy and memorable melodies. Its inclusion in the game's challenging dungeon battles further cemented its status as a fan favorite. The 8-Bit Big Band's cover masterfully retains the spirit of the original while infusing it with a unique jazz fusion flair, reflecting the signature style of Dirty Loops.

2025 Grammy Nominations for Best Video Game Score

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

• 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 presence in this category every year since its inception.

The increasing recognition of video game music at the Grammys underscores its growing influence and artistry. The 8-Bit Big Band's nomination, along with the other nominees in the "Best Score Soundtrack" category, showcases the exceptional talent and creativity within the video game music community and its ability to resonate with a wider audience.