How These DIY Artists Won a GRAMMY

This week on the New Music Business Podcast, Ari sits down with recent GRAMMY Award winners Matt B and Angela Benson. Matt B is a GRAMMY-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and global recording artist whose career spans over a decade. His most recent project, ‘Alkebulan II’, earned him and Angela a GRAMMY Award, following years of DIY artistry. Over the course of this album, Matt and Angela recorded across Africa, collaborated with artists like Eddie Kenzo and Oxlade, and worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios. As a label owner, producer on ‘Alkebulan II’, and longtime Recording Academy member, Angela has been instrumental in shaping Matt’s artistic direction, visual world-building, and global strategy.

In this episode, Matt B and Angela Benson walk through their incredible DIY journey and how they found themselves on the GRAMMY-winning path. They discuss the challenges of writing and recording in multiple African languages, shooting a full visual album across multiple countries, and balancing the creative workload between artist and manager. The pair break down how independent artists can navigate the GRAMMY process, the importance of joining the Recording Academy, the role of networking and bartering in major creative endeavors, and most importantly, the communication and patience required to run a music career as a married team.

https://www.instagram.com/mattbworld

https://www.instagram.com/angelavbenson

01:40 – Home Studio & Recent Travels

02:10 – Returning to His Alma Mater After the Grammy Win

03:00 – Life & Opportunities After Winning a Grammy

04:15 – Performing in Uganda & Global Breakthrough Moments

05:20 – Inception of the Akebulan Concept

09:00 – Connecting With Oxlade & Eddie Kenzo

11:00 – Creating the “Gimme Love” Music Video

13:00 – Building a Full Visual Album DIY

17:40 – Finding Producers & Collaborators Worldwide

20:00 – Incorporating the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

30:00 – Navigating Grammy Nominations & Recording Academy Membership

47:00 – Working as a Husband-and-Wife Artist/Manager Team

Edited and mixed by Peter Schrupp

Music by Brassroots District

Produced by the team at Ari’s Take

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