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 broader music industry. Let's delve into the details of this remarkable achievement.
A Second Grammy Nomination for The 8-Bit Big Band
The 8-Bit Big Band's vibrant jazz arrangement 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 continued success.
The "Last Surprise" cover will compete against notable artists like Willow Smith and John Legend in the same category. The 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony is scheduled for February 2nd.
The original "Last Surprise," composed by Shoji Meguro, is a beloved track from Persona 5, known for its infectious energy and memorable melodies. The 8-Bit Big Band's cover masterfully blends the original's essence with a unique jazz fusion style, showcasing the talents of both the band and its featured artists.
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 achieves a remarkable feat, receiving a nomination every year since the category's inception.
The increasing recognition of video game music at the Grammys underscores its artistic merit and growing cultural impact. The 8-Bit Big Band's nomination, along with the diverse range of nominated game scores, signifies a bright future for video game music's presence on the mainstream stage.
