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

by Henry Jan 26,2025

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. This nomination 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 this significant achievement.

The highly anticipated 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony, scheduled for February 2nd, will see "Last Surprise" compete against notable artists like Willow Smith and John Legend.

Persona 5's soundtrack, composed by Shoji Meguro, is renowned for its distinctive acid jazz style. "Last Surprise," in particular, resonates deeply with fans, serving as the battle theme throughout the game's Palaces. Its infectious energy and memorable melodies have cemented its place in gaming history. The 8-Bit Big Band's cover masterfully retains the original's essence while adding a unique jazz fusion twist, reflecting the signature sound of Jonah Nilsson's band, Dirty Loops. The inclusion of Button Masher further enhances the harmonic complexity.

2025 Grammy Nominations for Best Video Game Score

Persona 5’s “Last Surprise” Grammy Nomination Brings Game Music to the Mainstream 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 history with his annual nomination in this category.

Persona 5’s “Last Surprise” Grammy Nomination Brings Game Music to the Mainstream The enduring popularity of video game music is undeniable. Covers like The 8-Bit Big Band's demonstrate the lasting impact of these compositions, inspiring fresh interpretations and introducing them to wider audiences. This Grammy nomination serves as a testament to the artistry and creativity within the video game music scene.