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 Nomination for The 8-Bit Big Band

The 8-Bit Big Band's vibrant 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 "Last Surprise" cover will compete against notable artists like Willow Smith and John Legend in the same category at the Grammy Awards ceremony on February 2nd, 2025.

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 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 achieves a remarkable feat, receiving a nomination every year since the category's inception.

The 8-Bit Big Band's Grammy nomination underscores the enduring appeal of video game music and its capacity to inspire creative reinterpretations that resonate with a wider audience. This recognition marks a significant step forward for the genre, showcasing its artistic merit and potential for crossover success.