Alkebulan II
Alkebulan II (stylized in all caps) is a studio album by American singer, songwriter, and music producer Matt B featuring Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2025, the album won a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album.[1]
History
Alkebulan II, recorded by Matt B (Matthew Benson) featuring Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in 2024.[2] During his Grammy acceptance speech Benson said, "And, to think that this journey started off from an ancestry DNA test and I found out that I was mostly Nigerian. This album was created as a way of shining a light on Africa and the beautiful culture that we from the diaspora came from."[3] The album was the first Grammy win for both Matt B and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.[4]
The album's single, "NO WAHALA," written by Benson and Buguma Mark, won a Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Song in a Short Film in 2024.[5]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Uhambo Olungaziwa" (feat. Nomfundo Khambule) | Matthew Benson, Nomfundo Khambule | 1:18 |
| 2. | "Wambile" | Matthew Benson, Matte "Tarley" Shahidu | 3:41 |
| 3. | "Midnight Train" | Matthew Benson, Niwanyanya "Zigi" Johnbosco | 3:02 |
| 4. | "Renewal" (feat. Nomfundo Khambule) | Matthew Benson, Nomfundo Khambule | 1:20 |
| 5. | "Kholwani" (feat. Amazwi8 and Wouter Kellerman) | Matthew Benson, Monde Msutwana, Niwanyanya "Zigi" Johnbosco, James Frank, | 3:52 |
| 6. | "No Wahala" | Matthew Benson, Buguma "Ghost" Mark | 4:02 |
| 7. | "Intuition" (feat. Nomfundo Khambule) | Matthew Benson, Nomfundo Khambule | 1:59 |
| 8. | "Lost Drums" (feat. Sekou Andrews) | Matthew Benson, Matte ‘Tarley’ Shahidu, Sekou Andrews | 3:36 |
| 9. | "Purpose" (feat. Nomfundo Khambule) | Matthew Benson, Nomfundo Khambule | 1:03 |
| 10. | "The Creator" | Matthew Benson, Buguma "Ghost" Mark, Kagembe "Rulz" Rajab | 2:29 |
Notes
- All tracks are stylized in all caps.
Personnel
- Matt B - primary artist, vocals, lyrics,
- Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- Royal Philharmonic executive director - Ian McClay
- Conductor - Nicholas Dodd
- Librarian - Jill Streater
- Recordist - Dan Hayden
- MB Gordy - drums, percussion
- Walter Barnes - bass
- Timothy Muwanguzi - guitar
- James Frank - whistle
- Wouter Kellerman - flute/fife
- Matthew Benson II - piano
- Athena Benson - guitar
- Noah Benson - drums, popcorn snare
- Choir Vocalists - Amanda "Gugu" Mnguni, Babalwa "Backs" Maqungo, Uyanda Sibisi, Theto Rangala, Mpho "Mphossible" Bohloko, Bongani "Bongz" Hlengwa, Makabulele "Maka" Dukada, Lucky "Killar" Khumalo
- Choral Producer - James Frank
- Background Vocalists - Matthew Benson, Phiona Nabanja, Ugaboys, Niwanyanya “Zigi” Johnbosco, Buguma Mark, Matthew Benson II, Athena Benson, Noah Benson, Angela V. Benson, Nilotica Ensemble Troop Band, Nakayiza Evelyn
Production
- Producers - Matthew Benson, Angela V. Benson, Kitt Wakeley, Brent Fischer, MB Gordy
- Co-producers - Wabwire "B.I.T" Shedrack, Bash Killa
- Score producers - Starr Parodi, Jeff Fair
- Arrangers - Larry Ranch, Starr Parodi, Jeff Fair, Kitt Wakelely
- Orchestrators - Larry Ranch, Starr Parodi, Jeff Fair, Kitt Wakelely
- Copyists - Larry Ranch, Kitt Wakeley
- Librettist - Jill Streater
Technical
- Recording engineers - Matthew Benson, John Barrett, Lucas Fehring, Matt Brownlie
- Assistant recording engineers - Robin Walsh, Bash Killa, Wabwire "B.I.T" Shedrack, Kgala Kgafe
- Mix engineers - Marc Whitmore, Matthew Benson
- Mastering engineer - Jett Galindo
- Dolby Atmos/immersive audio engineer - Matt Sim
Release history
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | August 23, 2024 | CD, digital download | Vitae Records |
References
- ^ "Matt B Grammy". Grammy. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ "GRAMMY-Nominated Artist Matt B Unveils 'ALKEBULAN II' by Frank Bell". Fame Magazine. September 2, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "Watch Matt B Win Best Global Music Album For ALKEBULAN II - 2025 GRAMMYs Acceptance Speech @00:11". Grammy. February 2, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ "Grammy - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra". Grammy. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "2024 HMMA Winners and Nominations". HMMA. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
- ^ "Alkebulan II Matt B, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra". Apple Music. August 23, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
- ^ "Alkebulan II - Matt B, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra". Discogs. Retrieved March 19, 2025.