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Grammys Recognize Persona 5, Gaming's Musical Impact

by Olivia Jan 24,2025

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 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 well-deserved accolade.

A Second Grammy Nomination for The 8-Bit Big Band

The 8-Bit Big Band's "Last Surprise" cover, featuring Grammy winner 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 their second Grammy nomination, following their 2022 win for their "Meta Knight's Revenge" cover. Bandleader Charlie Rosen expressed his excitement on Twitter (X), celebrating this significant achievement for video game music.

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.

Persona 5's soundtrack, composed by Shoji Meguro, is renowned for its distinctive acid jazz style. "Last Surprise," however, stands out as a particular fan favorite, its energetic rhythm and memorable melodies resonating deeply with players who battled countless hours within the game's Palaces. The 8-Bit Big Band's cover masterfully captures the original's essence while adding a fresh, jazz-infused layer, leveraging the expertise of Dirty Loops' signature sound, enhanced further by Button Masher's harmonic contributions.

2025 Grammy Nominations for Best Video Game Score

Persona 5’s “Last Surprise” Grammy Nomination Brings Game Music to the Mainstream 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 continues to make Grammy history with his nomination, marking his annual presence in this category since its inception.

Persona 5’s “Last Surprise” Grammy Nomination Brings Game Music to the Mainstream The enduring popularity of video game soundtracks is undeniable. The 8-Bit Big Band's Grammy-nominated cover serves as a testament to the lasting impact of these compositions, demonstrating how classic game music can inspire innovative reinterpretations and introduce these scores to a wider audience.