Alkebulan II


Alkebulan II 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 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.

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