The 8-Bit Big Band's jazz rendition 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 mainstream music industry. Let's delve into the details of this well-deserved achievement.
Persona 5's "Last Surprise" Earns 8-Bit Big Band a Grammy Nomination
A Second Grammy Nod for The 8-Bit Big Band
The 8-Bit Big Band's masterful jazz arrangement of Persona 5's battle theme, "Last Surprise," is nominated for "Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals" at the 2025 Grammy Awards. This electrifying performance features Grammy winner Jake Silverman (Button Masher) on synthesizer and the powerful vocals of Jonah Nilsson (Dirty Loops).
"Another Grammy nomination! My fourth in a row!," exclaimed Charlie Rosen, leader of The 8-Bit Big Band, on Twitter (X). "Video game music is alive and kicking!!!" This nomination marks the band's second Grammy recognition, 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 for the coveted award at the ceremony on February 2nd, 2025.
Persona 5's soundtrack, composed by Shoji Meguro, is renowned for its distinctive acid jazz style. "Last Surprise," however, stands out as a fan favorite, its energetic rhythm and memorable melodies resonating deeply with players throughout countless hours of gameplay within the game's Palaces.The 8-Bit Big Band's cover beautifully honors the original while adding its unique flair. The jazz fusion arrangement, a hallmark of Dirty Loops' style, elevates the song's inherent energy. As the music video description notes, the collaboration with Button Masher further enhanced the harmonic complexity, bringing a signature Dirty Loops sound to the forefront.
2025 Grammy Nominations for Best Video Game Score Unveiled
The Grammy Awards also announced nominees for "Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media." This year's contenders are:
⚫︎ Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, composed by Pinar Toprak
⚫︎ God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla, composed by Bear McCreary
⚫︎ Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, composed by John Paesano
⚫︎ Star Wars Outlaws, composed by Wilbert Roget, II
⚫︎ Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, composed by Winifred Phillips
Bear McCreary continues to make Grammy history, achieving a nomination every year since the category's inception.
Video game music holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers. The 8-Bit Big Band's cover of "Last Surprise" serves as a powerful example of how these beloved compositions can inspire new interpretations and reach broader audiences, further solidifying the genre's place in the world of music.
