Game Music's Triumph: 'Last Surprise' Earns Grammy Recognition

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

A Second Grammy Nod for The 8-Bit Big Band

The 8-Bit Big Band's "Last Surprise" cover, 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 their second Grammy nomination, following their 2022 win for their "Meta Knight's Revenge" cover. Bandleader Charlie Rosen expressed his excitement on Twitter (X), celebrating this continued success.

This remarkable jazz rendition will compete against notable artists like Willow Smith and John Legend in the same category at the February 2nd, 2025 ceremony.

The original "Last Surprise," composed by Shoji Meguro, is a beloved track from Persona 5, known for its energetic bassline and catchy melodies. The 8-Bit Big Band's cover skillfully blends the original's essence with a unique jazz fusion style, leveraging the expertise of Dirty Loops to create a fresh and captivating interpretation.

2025 Grammy Nominations: 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 presence in this category every year since its inception.

The Grammy nominations for "Last Surprise" and the "Best Score Soundtrack" category underscore the growing appreciation for video game music. Covers like The 8-Bit Big Band's demonstrate the enduring power and creative potential of these compositions, inspiring new interpretations and expanding their reach to wider audiences.