The 8-Bit Big Band's jazz arrangement of Persona 5's iconic "Last Surprise" has received a Grammy nomination! This article explores this significant achievement for the talented musicians involved.
Persona 5's "Last Surprise" Earns Grammy Recognition for 8-Bit Big Band's Jazz Interpretation
8-Bit Big Band Secures Second Grammy Nomination with Persona 5 Battle Theme Cover
The 8-Bit Big Band's breathtaking jazz rendition of Persona 5's "Last Surprise" has been nominated for a Grammy Award! Featuring Grammy winner Jake Silverman (Button Masher) on synthesizer and the powerful vocals of Jonah Nilsson (Dirty Loops), this remarkable cover is in the running for "Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals" at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
"Another Grammy nomination! My fourth in a row!!," exclaimed Charlie Rosen, leader of The 8-Bit Big Band, on Twitter (X). "GAME MUSIC FOREVER!!!" While Rosen highlighted his personal theater accomplishments, this isn't the band's first Grammy nod; they previously won "Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella" in 2022 for their "Meta Knight's Revenge" cover.
The 8-Bit Big Band's "Last Surprise" will compete against notable artists like Willow Smith and John Legend in the same category at the February 2nd, 2025 ceremony.
Persona 5's acclaimed acid jazz soundtrack, composed by Shoji Meguro, features many memorable tracks. However, "Last Surprise," the battle theme that accompanies players through countless Palace encounters, stands out as a fan favorite. Its infectious bassline and catchy melodies have cemented its place in gaming history.The 8-Bit Big Band's Grammy-nominated cover honors the original while adding its own unique flair. The arrangement masterfully transforms the track into a jazz fusion masterpiece, showcasing the signature style of Jonah Nilsson's band, Dirty Loops. As the music video description notes, the collaboration with Button Masher enhanced the harmonic complexity, reflecting Dirty Loops' distinctive sound.
2025 Grammy Nominations for Best Video Game Score Unveiled
The Grammy Awards have announced the 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 achieves a remarkable feat, becoming the only composer nominated every year since the category's inception. His previous nominations include Call of Duty Vanguard (2023) and God of War Ragnarök (2024).
The award, which debuted with Stephanie Economou's win for Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök, saw Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab win last year for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
Video game music holds a special place in the hearts of many, and covers like The 8-Bit Big Band's demonstrate the enduring power of these compositions to inspire fresh interpretations and reach new audiences.
