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 mainstream music industry. Let's delve into the details of this well-deserved accolade.

A Second Grammy Nod for the 8-Bit Big Band

The 8-Bit Big Band's innovative jazz interpretation of "Last Surprise," 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 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 continued success.

The 8-Bit Big Band's "Last Surprise" will compete against notable artists like Willow Smith and John Legend in this prestigious category. The 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled for February 2nd.

2025 Grammy Nominations for 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 achieved a remarkable feat, securing a nomination every year since the category's inception.

The 8-Bit Big Band's Grammy nomination underscores the enduring power and artistic merit of video game music. Their cover of "Last Surprise" serves as a testament to how beloved game soundtracks can inspire fresh interpretations and introduce these compositions to a wider audience.