Persona 5’s Battle Theme “Last Surprise” Earns Grammy Nod in Jazz Cover by The 8-Bit Big Band

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Persona 5’s iconic battle theme, “Last Surprise,” now boasts a Grammy nomination thanks to a jazz cover by The 8-Bit Big Band. Competing in the Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals category, this cover stands against prominent artists like John Legend and Willow Smith. Fans and music enthusiasts alike can look forward to the award announcement on February 2.

Charlie Rosen and Jake Silverman, who co-arranged this cover, have shared their excitement online. Rosen celebrated on his X account, tweeting, “Just nominated for my fourth Grammy in a row. So thrilled to be nominated alongside [Silverman] for our co-arrangement of “Last Surprise” from Persona 5 for The 8-Bit Big Band. Long live video game music.” This nomination follows the band’s earlier Grammy win in 2022 for their cover of “Meta Knight’s Revenge” from Kirby Super Star.

Just nominated for my 4th Grammy IN A ROW!!! So thrilled to be nominated along side my harmonic bro in crime @Button__Masher for our co-arrangement of “Last Surprise” from Persona 5 for @the8bitbigband LONG LIVE VIDEO GAME MUSIC!!! pic.twitter.com/ThuZEhsTdY
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— Charlie Rosen (@CRosenMusic) November 8, 2024

“Last Surprise” has a special place in the hearts of Persona 5 players, who know it as the main battle theme for the game’s lengthy adventure. While players already appreciate its upbeat, jazzy rhythm, the track also appears in spin-offs like Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight and Persona 5 Strikers. The 8-Bit Big Band’s take on the song offers a fresh twist by adding 8-bit sound effects and retro visuals drawn from the game, which creates a unique, nostalgic charm.

Though The 8-Bit Big Band faces fierce competition, their nomination highlights how video game music continues to break into the mainstream. This Grammy recognition further adds momentum to the growing appreciation for game soundtracks, inspiring even more excitement for the genre’s future.

Fans can check out more of The 8-Bit Big Band’s work on their YouTube channel here, and for the full list of the Grammy nominations, you can visit here.