Move over, Cynthia Erivo, this is Mario’s win
Gaming’s most recognizable mascot helped a jazz cover band bring home a Grammy Award on Sunday. The 8-Bit Big Band won the award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella for its track “Super Mario Praise Break” at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
The ensemble, known for its jazz arrangements of popular video game music, released a four-track medley last summer celebrating Mario. The “Gospel Mario Bros Medley” features covers of “Super Mario Bros Theme” from Super Mario Bros., “Bob-Omb Battlefield” from Super Mario 64, “Gusty Garden Galaxy” from Super Mario Galaxy, and “Athletic Theme” from Super Mario World.
“The princess might be in another castle, but the lord is in the house today! If HE has brought you to another level, go ahead and bless him!! No blue shell thrown against me shall prosper!!” reads the description of the YouTube video for “Super Mario Praise Break” and to that we say, amen. Give it a listen below.
This wasn’t The 8-Bit Big Band’s first win at the Grammys. It previously took home the same award for its cover of “Meta Knight’s Revenge” from Kirby Super Star in 2022. It was also nominated in 2025 for its cover of Persona 5‘s “Last Surprise” and was nominated this year for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for its album Orchestrator Emulator.
Austin Wintory and Sword of the Sea earned the Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media, while KPop Demon Hunters made history at the award show. Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, and Billie Eilish took home the top honors for Album, Record, and Song of the Year, respectively, at the Grammys.
