{{Short description|American musician (born 1989)}} {{Infobox person | name = Matt B | image = Matt_B.jpg | caption = | alias = | birth_name = Matthew David Benson | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|record producer}} | education = University of Illinois at Chicago | years_active = 2004–present | spouse = {{marriage|Angela Benson|2012}} | children = | television = | relatives = | awards = Grammy Award | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | genre = {{hlist|R&B|Hip hop|Afrobeats}} | label = {{hlist|Priority Records|StarBase Records|Vitae Records}} | instrument = <!-- for instrument(s) artist is primarily known for per reliable sources; Template:Infobox_musical_artist/doc#instrument--> {{hlist|Vocals|keyboards}} | associated_acts = {{flatlist| *Eddy Kenzo *Lil Bibby<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/593538-matt-b-hollywood-feat-lil-bibby-new-song|title=Matt B - Hollywood Feat. Lil Bibby|publisher=Kevin Goddard |date=April 24, 2017 |access-date=June 8, 2021}}</ref> *J. Ivy<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/623044|title=R&B star Matt B performs live on Good Day Chicago @ 3:00|publisher=Fox 32|date=July 31, 2020 |access-date=June 3, 2021}}</ref> *Casey Veggies<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thisisrnb.com/2017/05/matt-b-premieres-video-for-new-single-loud-liquor-feat-casey-veggies/|title=MATT B PREMIERES VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE "LOUD & LIQUOR" FEAT. CASEY VEGGIES|publisher=This is RnB |date=November 7, 2019|access-date=June 8, 2021}}</ref> *Tricky Stewart *Bryan-Michael Cox }} | website = {{URL|mattbworld.com}} }} }}
'''Matthew David Benson''', better known by his stage name '''Matt B''', is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. In 2022, Benson's, ''Gimme Love'' (Matt B featuring Eddy Kenzo), was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance<ref name= "GRAMMYs">{{Cite web |date=2022-11-15 |title=2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2023-grammy-nominations-complete-winners-nominees-list |access-date=2022-11-15 |website=GRAMMYs}}</ref> and charted at Number 36 on Billboard's US Afrobeats Songs chart.<ref name= "Billboard">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/eddy-kenzo/|title=Billboard US Afro-Beats Song Chart |magazine=Billboard|date=November 5, 2022 |access-date=November 26, 2022}}</ref> In 2025, he won a Grammy Award for "Best Global Music Album" for ''ALKEBULAN II''.<ref name="Grammys">{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/matt-b/51577|title=Matt B - Grammys |publisher=Grammys|date=|accessdate=February 4, 2025}}</ref>
==Music== Matt B began his solo career in 2009 and has released six studio albums. His genres have been generally classified as R&B, Hip hop, and Afrobeats. In 2019, Benson performed at the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, which was nationally televised.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4xUEJl90Nk|title=ABC 2019 Magnificent Mile Lights Festival - Matt B Performs - @ 37:25|publisher=dsfdderek |date=November 24, 2019 |access-date=June 8, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://abc7chicago.com/magnificent-mile-lights-festival-chicago-mag-bmo-harris-bank/5689387|title=Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Chicago |publisher=ABC Chicago|date=November 25, 2019 |access-date=June 5, 2021}}</ref> In 2022, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for his single, ''Gimme Love'', which features Eddy Kenzo.
''Love and War'' was released and distributed by Tokyo-based, StarBase Records in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kuulpeeps.com/2020/09/16/rnb-singer-matt-bs-journey-from-a-label-deal-in-japan-to-becoming-a-grammy-voting-member/pop-culture/music|title=Matt Bs Journey From a Label deal in Japan to Becoming a Grammy Voting Member|publisher=Kuul Peeps |date=September 16, 2020 |access-date=June 3, 2020}}</ref>
''Dive'', Benson's self-produced sophomore album was released in 2016. The album charted at #1 on iTunes R&B Chart in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://singersroom.com/content/2020-08-05/matt-b-releases-new-single-deep/|title=Matt B Releases New Single "Deep"|publisher=Behind the Curtains Media |date=August 5, 2020 |access-date=November 28, 2022}}</ref>
Benson teamed up with producer, Bryan-Michael Cox and recorded the EP, ''RISE'', which was distributed by Priority Records in 2018. His single, ''Losing You'', earned him ''Best R&B Male Artist'' at the Indie Music Channel Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://behindthecurtainsmedia.com/matt-b-reflects-with-silky-smooth-rb-single-i-spoiled-you/|title=MATT B REFLECTS WITH SILKY-SMOOTH R&B SINGLE "I SPOILED YOU" by Hanna Yando|publisher=Behind the Curtains Media|date=April 28, 2020|access-date=June 8, 2020|archive-date=June 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608195839/https://behindthecurtainsmedia.com/matt-b-reflects-with-silky-smooth-rb-single-i-spoiled-you/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2021, Benson released his US debut album, ''Eden'', produced by Bryan-Michael Cox and Tricky Stewart, which received favorable reviews and charted on Billboard's ''Top 40 R&B Albums''.<ref name= "Broadway World 1">{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Matt-B-Releases-New-Single-Reassured-20221028|title=Matt B Releases New Single 'Reassured'|publisher=Broadway World 1|date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=November 28, 2022}}</ref> The album's single, ''Deep'' received favorable reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://grungecake.com/matt-b-eden/articles/75966|title=Grammy Contender Matt B's new album 'Eden' shows range, complements today's R&B by Ryan White|publisher=Grungecake|date= 5 April 2021|access-date=November 29, 2022}}</ref>
* '''Gimme Love''' In 2021, Benson teamed up with Ugandan recording artist Eddy Kenzo and co-wrote and recorded, ''Gimme Love''. In 2022, the single was nominated for a Grammy Award for ''Best Global Music Performance''<ref name= "GRAMMYs"/> as well as charting at #36 on Billboard's ''US Afrobeats Songs'' chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/eddy-kenzo/chart-history/afb/|title=Billboard Chart History - Eddy Kenzo and Matt B|publisher=Billboard|date=November 5, 2022 |access-date=September 18, 2023}}</ref> The single's music video won numerous awards at film festivals including winning ''Best Song'' at the New York International Film Festival as well as his wife and manager, Angela Valarie Benson winning an award for the single's music video, which she directed.<ref name= "New York International Film Festival"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://skopemag.com/2022/03/16/new-video-by-matt-b-feat-eddy-kenzo-gimme-love|title=New Video By Matt B feat. Eddy Kenzo "Gimme Love"|work=Skope Magazine|date=March 16, 2022 |access-date=November 28, 2022}}</ref> Benson and Kenzo performed, ''Gimme Love'' at the ''Eddy Kenzo Festival'' at Kololo Airstrip in Uganda to an audience of over 100,000, including Uganda's Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.africanews.com/2022/11/23/eddy-kenzo-ugandas-first-grammy-nominee/|title=Eddy Kenzo Uganda's First Grammy Nominee|publisher=Africa News|date=November 23, 2022 |access-date=November 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Matt-B-Scores-GRAMMY-Nomination-for-Best-Global-Music-Performance-20221115|title=Matt B Scores GRAMMY Nomination for Best Global Music Performance|work=Broadway Magazine 2|date=November 15, 2022 |access-date=November 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://capitalradio.co.ug/entertainment/2022-11-15-kenzos-festival-counted-a-success-as-beenie-mans-concert-flopped/ |title=Kenzo's festival counted a success as Beenie man's concert flopped|publisher=Capital Radio UG|date=November 12, 2022 |access-date=November 28, 2022}}</ref>
* '''ALKEBULAN II''' In 2025, Benson received the GRAMMY Award for Best Global Music Album for ''ALKEBULAN II'', marking his first GRAMMY win. The album also featured the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which received its first GRAMMY Award since its founding in 1946.<ref>{{Cite web |title={{!}} Artist {{!}} GRAMMY.com |url=https://grammy.com/artists/royal-philharmonic-orchestra/58237 |access-date=2025-08-08 |website=grammy.com}}</ref> The award also recognized two producers of Ugandan origin who contributed to the project, marking the first GRAMMY wins for individuals from Uganda and the East African region. The Recording Academy noted the achievement as a significant moment for African representation in global music. In that same year he was recognized by the Recording Academy in an article titled, "7 Black Creatives Making An Impact At The Recording Academy & Beyond," for advocating to protect the rights of music creators and meeting yearly with members of Congress to discuss current laws and how they impact the music community.<ref name="Grammys"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/news/black-creatives-executives-leaders-making-an-impact-recording-academy|title=7 Black Creatives Making An Impact At The Recording Academy & Beyond|publisher=Grammy|date= 25 June 2025|access-date=November 29, 2022}}</ref>
==Awards== {|class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Nominated work !Category !Award !Result |- | 2025 || ''ALKEBULAN II'' || Best Global Music Album || Grammy Award<ref name="Grammys"/>||{{won}} |- | 2024 || ''Need Some Wine'' || Afrobeats/Afropop || Hollywood Independent Music Award<ref>{{cite web|url=https://himawards.com/2024-nominations-table/|title=HIMA Nominees 2024|publisher=Hollywood Independent Music Awards|date=|accessdate=May 12, 2024}}</ref>||{{Nom}} |- | 2023 || ''Gunjale'' || Music Video (Independent) || Hollywood Music in Media Awards<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hmmawards.com/2023-hmma-winners-and-nominees/|title=2023 HMMA Winners And Nominees|publisher=Hollywood Music in Media Awards|date=|accessdate=March 31, 2024|archive-date=November 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120083735/https://www.hmmawards.com/2023-hmma-winners-and-nominees/|url-status=dead}}</ref>||{{won}} |- | 2023 || ''Best in Genre'' || Best Vocal (Male) || Hollywood Independent Music Award<ref>{{cite web|url=https://himawards.com/2023-winners/|title=HIMA Winners 2023|publisher=Hollywood Independent Music Awards|date=|accessdate=March 29, 2023}}</ref> ||{{nom}} |- | 2022 || ''Gimme Love'' || Best Global Music Performance || Grammy Award<ref name= "GRAMMYs"/>||{{nom}} |- | 2022 || ''Losing You'' || Best Male R&B Artist|| Indie Music Channel Award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theindiemusicchannel.tv/imca2022rbwins.html|title=Indie Music Channel Awards - R&B Winners 2022|publisher=Indie Music Channel|date= |access-date=August 13, 2022}}</ref>||{{won}} |- | 2022 || ''Gimme Love'' || Best Special Video || Indie Music Channel Award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theindiemusicchannel.tv/imca2022specialvideowins.html|title=Indie Music Channel Awards - Special Video Winners 2022|publisher=Indie Music Channel|date= |access-date=August 13, 2022}}</ref> ||{{won}} |- | 2022 || ''Gimme Love'' || Best Song || Oniros Film Awards<ref name="Oniros Film Awards">{{cite web|url=https://onirosfilmawards.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/08/WINNERS-OFANY-July-2022C.pdf|title=Oniros Film Award Winners 2022|publisher=Oniros Film Awards|date=November 24, 2019 |access-date=August 13, 2022}}</ref> ||{{won}} |- | 2022 || ''Gimme Love'' || Best Song || New York International Film Award<ref name= "New York International Film Festival">{{cite web|url=https://newyorkinternationalfilmawards.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/09/WINNERS-NYIFA-August-2022.pdf|title=New York International Film Festival Awards List|publisher=New York International Film Festival|date= |access-date=November 26, 2022}}</ref> ||{{won}} |- | 2022 || ''Gimme Love''||Best Male Vocal, Male Artist, Music Video, Best Song, Best Rhythm & Blues|| LIT Talent Award<ref>{{cite web|url=https://littalentawards.com/winner.php|title=LIT Talent Awards List 2022|publisher=Lit Talent Awards|date= |access-date=November 26, 2022}}</ref>|| {{won}}{{end}}
==Discography==
*'''2011''' - ''Matt B:301B''<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.amazon.com/Matt-B-301B-B/dp/B004K18B6U |title=Matt B:301B|publisher=Amazon |date=January 25, 2010 |access-date=June 9, 2020}}</ref> *'''2014''' - ''Love & War''{{cn|date=June 2025}} *'''2016''' -''Dive''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://divinemagazine.biz/chicago-rb-artist-matt-b-delivers-smooth-new-pop-single-deep/|title=Chicago RB Artist Matt B Delivers Smooth New Pop Single Deep |work=Divine Magazine by Avatar of Behind The Curtains Media |date=July 31, 2020 |access-date=June 3, 2021}}</ref> *'''2018''' - ''RISE'' *'''2019''' - ''Homecoming''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/homecoming/1451693365?l=en|title=Homecoming by Matt B|publisher=Apple |date= |access-date=June 9, 2020}}</ref> *'''2021''' - ''Eden''<ref name= "Broadway World 1"/> *'''2023''' - ''ALKEBULAN''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thearkofmusic.com/matt-b-alkebulan/|title=Matt B Alkebulan|publisher=The Ark of Music |date=September 1, 2023 |access-date=November 8, 2024}}</ref> *'''2024''' - ''ALKEBULAN II''
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Matt B}} Category:1989 births Category:African-American male singer-songwriters Category:American male singer-songwriters Category:American hip-hop singers Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Living people Category:Singer-songwriters from Illinois Category:American contemporary R&B singers Category:21st-century African-American male singers Category:21st-century American male singers