THE TRACKLISTING. THE ARTISTS. 🌍✨
What an incredible honor it has been to create alongside some of the most gifted voices and musicians across West Africa. Every collaboration on this album happened with intention. Every voice carries history. Every note holds an encapsulated moment in time.
This album was about bringing together hearts and minds that understand the power of where we come from and the responsibility of preserving it. It is rooted in the belief that our stories deserve to be told by US. That our traditions are worthy of the world’s biggest stages. That the voices of our ancestors still echo through the rhythms, melodies, and languages we carry today.
To every artist, musician, producer, and creative who became part of this journey, thank you for trusting the vision and leaving a piece of your spirit in these songs. Your artistry has helped create something that feels timeless.
For our ancestors. For the culture.
The water remembers…and so do we.
‘ALKEBULAN III: The Water Remembers’ arrives August 21 🌊
ALKEBULAN III: The Water Remembers 🌊
For years, I searched for where my story began. As an African American growing up in the United States, I longed to uncover my ancestral heritage. So much of our culture, history, and identity was taken from us, leaving generations disconnected from the places and people that came before. I felt a void, I knew there had to be more to the story…
That journey led me across oceans and generations, all the way back to Imo State, Nigeria, where I reconnected with my Igbo heritage and met relatives whose stories are a part of my own. It transformed the way I see myself, my family, and my place in the world.
This album is a celebration of West Africa, Nigeria, and my Igbo roots. This is for my ancestors, my culture, and the generations of people whose resilience, traditions, and spirit continue to live on today. Through music, film, and immersive storytelling, I want to honor the beauty of Igbo identity and preserve the legacy of those who came before us.
The final chapter of the ALKEBULAN trilogy.
The Water Remembers… and so do we.
August 21, 2026.
#ALKEBULANIII #TheWaterRemembers
@ArtsBakery_
I went to pick up my wife’s birthday cake today, and unfortunately the experience was extremely disappointing.
Ordering online was smooth, and even though the drive was 45 minutes, I didn’t mind because I had heard great things about your cakes. I arrived at the bakery around 11:15 AM. There were very few customers, and I went straight to the pickup counter. Despite being the only one there at first, I waited about five minutes while employees continued helping other customers who walked in after me.
After continuing to wait with no acknowledgment, I got into the general line. When I finally made it to the register and said I was there to pick up a cake, I was asked for my order number. Due to the cashier’s thick accent, it was difficult to understand, so I politely asked her to repeat herself. She responded rudely, repeating “your order number” multiple times. I gave it to her and then stood there waiting for my cake to be brought out.
While I was waiting in line for my cake, they began ringing up other customers as if I wasn’t standing there. No one asked me to step aside, no one acknowledged the wait, and I was essentially ignored. At the same time, I noticed employees greeting other customers as they walked in and even serving people at the pickup counter immediately, giving them attention and service that I did not receive. It felt rude, dismissive, and completely disrespectful.
When my cake was finally brought out, it was handed to me with no communication and no proper cover or protection. I waited for someone to assist me or at least acknowledge the situation, but no one said anything. I eventually had to ask if there was something to cover the cake with, and I was simply told no.
I then had to drive 45 minutes home with an uncovered cake on my front seat, trying to hold it steady the entire time so it wouldn’t slide. This made for a stressful and unsafe drive. The cake was exposed the entire time, and despite my efforts, it was slightly damaged by the time I got home.
This situation was completely preventable. A proper container or basic care during packaging would have made all the difference.
For a $120 cake, I expected a much higher level of service and professionalism. The lack of attention, the dismissive attitude, and the overall treatment I received was completely unacceptable and quite frankly disgusting.
On September 24, I had the distinct honor and privilege to present the @royalphilorch with their very first GRAMMY Award for their outstanding work on my album ‘ALKEBULAN II’. This is their first time ever bringing home a GRAMMY in their 79-year history as an orchestra, so @angelavbenson and I knew that we wanted to make the journey to fly from LA to the Royal Albert Hall to be present for this monumental occasion. To know that my album played a role in cementing such an incredible moment in music history is truly a humbling feeling. I am very grateful to the RPO for believing in my project. They have consistently created remarkable music spanning across nearly 8 decades, so this moment was long overdue. The RPO has always been at the cutting edge of creatively fusing various genres with classical music, which ultimately helps inspire young minds and bridge the gap with the new generation.
Congratulations to Andrew Storey and the entire Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It is an esteemed honor to share this first GRAMMY win with you. This is your first golden statuette, but certainly not your last 🏆✨🖤
We were also privileged to receive a GRAMMY from @mattbworld and @angelavbenson for the album ALKEBULAN II, which won Best Global Music Album earlier this year - the first GRAMMY in the Orchestra's 79-year history!
Uganda Tourism Board has welcomed @mattbworld’s visit as a timely boost to the country’s destination branding strategy, and has curated a #Kampala city tour for the artist and his team, showcasing Uganda’s cultural and religious landmarks.
Ms. Juliana Kagwa, UTB CEO is delighted with this development and has noted that Matt B’s Grammy donations to Uganda marks a historic milestone for our creative and tourism sectors.
There’s a growing influence of Uganda’s music industry globally and we’re honored to celebrate this unique cultural exchange.
#ExploreUganda #MattBInUganda
Thank you to the @RecordingAcad for including me in this powerful piece for Black Music Month. It is a great honor for my voice to be heard and to have my work recognized. ‘ALKEBULAN II’ made GRAMMY history in Africa, and we aint done yet! I’m excited to continue doing my part in bridging the gap between Africa and the US, we have alot of great things on the horizon. Click the link below to read the full article and my interview on https://t.co/hwaJyLEtU1 🙏🏽
https://t.co/yeG2yQ9Jum
thought a hater said sumn… settling into my GRAMMY winning era. just a preview of what’s to come 🔥
📸: @awskaritoo
Edit: @angelavbenson
Drip: @Roberto_Cavalli
Jewelry: @gucci
Tailor: @madisonjmcfarland
Nails: @_ayunails
Styling: @angelavbenson @ry_gg_guy
Cigar: @theembassylounge
🏆: God + @RecordingAcad
the moment we have been waiting for. THE GRAMMYS HAVE LANDED ✨🏆🏆✨ thank you to the @RecordingAcad and everyone who made this moment possible. we are eternally grateful
Feb 2 was a life changing day. Here is a look back at the entire day when I won my first GRAMMY. We did a photoshoot, hit the red carpet for press, did the iconic GlamBot with @colewalliser@eentertainment, and then… it happened. I’m extremely grateful to have left the Crypto Arena that day as a GRAMMY Winner. I will never forget this moment. Thank you to my beautiful wife and manager @angelavbenson for being on this journey with me, my team, and the voting body for listening to ALKEBULAN II and deeming it worthy of this honor. Thank you @recordingacademy for changing my life 🙏🏽 this was just the warm up!! 💪🏽🔥
🎥: @travelwithtrevor
#ALKEBULANII
Front page news in my hometown, CHITOWN 🏙️ it’s a blessing to be recognized by my city. Thank you Chicago Citizen 🙏🏽🖤 can’t wait to receive the physical copy in the mail. #ALKEBULANII#GRAMMYNominated