
The 8-Bit Big Band's jazz arrangement of Persona 5's "Last Surprise" receives a Grammy nod! This exciting news highlights the growing recognition of video game music in the mainstream.
A Second Grammy Nomination for The 8-Bit Big Band
The talented ensemble's vibrant jazz interpretation of the iconic Persona 5 battle theme has earned a nomination for "Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals" at the 2025 Grammy Awards. This marks their second Grammy nomination, following their 2022 win for their cover of "Meta Knight's Revenge." The arrangement features Grammy-winning musician Jake Silverman (Button Masher) on synth and the vocal talents of Jonah Nilsson (Dirty Loops). Bandleader Charlie Rosen expressed his excitement on X (formerly Twitter), celebrating this continued success.
Competing with Music's Elite
The 8-Bit Big Band's "Last Surprise" cover will compete against notable artists like Willow Smith and John Legend in the same prestigious category. The 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled for February 2nd.
[Embedded YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Trp99eHyDyY]
"Last Surprise": A Fan Favorite Reimagined
Persona 5's soundtrack, composed by Shoji Meguro, is celebrated for its distinctive acid jazz style. "Last Surprise," a particularly beloved battle theme, has resonated deeply with fans due to its memorable presence throughout the game's Palaces. The 8-Bit Big Band's cover retains the original's energy while adding a unique jazz fusion twist, leveraging the expertise of Dirty Loops' sound. The inclusion of Button Masher further enhances the harmonic complexity.
2025 Grammy Nominations for Best Video Game Score
This year's "Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media" category boasts a strong lineup:
- 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, securing a nomination every year since the category's inception.
The Grammy Awards' inclusion of video game soundtracks demonstrates the genre's growing artistic merit and widespread appeal. The 8-Bit Big Band's success exemplifies how creative reinterpretations of classic game music can captivate new audiences and garner significant recognition within the broader music industry.