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 significant achievement.

A Second Grammy Nomination for The 8-Bit Big Band

The 8-Bit Big Band's innovative jazz interpretation of "Last Surprise," featuring Grammy-winning musician Jake Silverman (Button Masher) on synth and Jonah Nilsson (Dirty Loops) on vocals, is nominated for "Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals" at the 2025 Grammy Awards. 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 this continued success.

The "Last Surprise" cover will compete against notable artists like Willow Smith and John Legend in a highly competitive category. The 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled for February 2nd.

The original "Last Surprise," composed by Shoji Meguro, is a beloved track from Persona 5, known for its infectious energy and memorable melodies. The 8-Bit Big Band's cover masterfully blends the original's essence with a unique jazz fusion style, showcasing the talents of both the band and the featured artists. The arrangement's sophisticated harmonic elements are a direct result of collaborating with Button Masher, drawing inspiration from Dirty Loops' distinctive sound.

2025 Grammy Nominations for Best Video Game Score

This year's Grammy Awards also feature a strong lineup of nominees for "Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media." The nominees 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 achieves a remarkable feat, earning a nomination every year since the category's inception.

The growing recognition of video game music at the Grammys underscores its artistic merit and cultural impact. The 8-Bit Big Band's nomination, along with the diverse range of nominated game soundtracks, signifies a significant step forward for the genre. Covers like theirs demonstrate the enduring appeal and creative potential of video game music, inspiring new interpretations that resonate with a wider audience.