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.
History Alkebulan II, recorded by Matt B (Matthew Benson) featuring Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in 2024. 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." In 2025, Alkebulan II received the GRAMMY Award for Best Global Music Album, marking the first GRAMMY win for artist Matt B. The album also featured the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which earned its first GRAMMY Award since its founding in 1946. Additionally, two producers of Ugandan origin were recognized for their work on the album, becoming the first individuals from Uganda and the East African region to receive GRAMMY Awards. The Recording Academy highlighted the album’s recognition as a significant moment for African representation in global music.
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.
Track listing
Notes All tracks are stylized in all caps.
Personnel Source:
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