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 "Last Surprise" Earns Grammy Nomination

The acclaimed jazz orchestra, The 8-Bit Big Band, has received a Grammy nomination for their captivating jazz rendition of Persona 5's iconic battle theme, "Last Surprise." This marks the band's second Grammy nomination, following their 2022 win for their cover of "Meta Knight's Revenge."

This exciting arrangement features Grammy-winning musician Jake Silverman (Button Masher) on synthesizers and the powerful vocals of Jonah Nilsson (Dirty Loops). The track is nominated in the "Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals" category at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

"Just nominated for my 4th Grammy IN A ROW!!!," bandleader Charlie Rosen excitedly shared on X (formerly Twitter). "LONG LIVE VIDEO GAME MUSIC!!!" While Rosen's tweet also highlights his personal theater accomplishments, this nomination underscores the growing recognition of video game music within the mainstream music industry.

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

Persona 5's soundtrack, composed by Shoji Meguro, is celebrated for its unique acid jazz style. "Last Surprise," in particular, resonates deeply with fans, having accompanied countless hours of gameplay within the game's Palaces. Its infectious energy and memorable melodies have cemented its status as a fan favorite.

The 8-Bit Big Band's cover beautifully honors the original while adding a fresh, innovative twist. The jazz fusion arrangement, a hallmark of Nilsson's band Dirty Loops, elevates the song's inherent charisma. As the music video description notes, the addition of Button Masher further enhanced the harmonic complexity, reflecting Dirty Loops' signature sound.

2025 Grammy Nominees 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 are:

• 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 Grammy history, securing a nomination every year since the category's inception.

The enduring popularity of video game soundtracks is undeniable. The 8-Bit Big Band's Grammy-nominated cover serves as a powerful testament to the lasting impact of these compositions and their ability to inspire new and creative interpretations for wider audiences.