Chicago Artist Matt B Honors Nigerian Roots with DuSable Museum Performance after First Grammy Win
A Chicago Moment
Artist Matt B gave his hometown a shout-out as he won his first Grammy for best global album—a Chicago moment for a Chicago man.
“It was surreal,” Matt B said. “I don’t think that words can describe what that moment was like for me as an artist.”
Roots Run Deep
Matt B was born and raised in the Englewood and Roseland neighborhoods on Chicago’s South Side. Now, as a part of the DuSable Museum’s 64th-anniversary celebration, he helped host a screening for his short film and performed.
“I think my ancestors, they breathe in me,” Matt B said. “They exude out of me and that’s what I discovered during the process of creation. Speaking these different African languages from Swahili to Uganda to Bantu, a bit of Igbo. I sang in maybe five or six different languages on this project, which was very difficult.”
Alkebulan II: A Journey of Self-Discovery
The album that netted him the award, Alkebulan II, explores his roots from Nigeria that he discovered through a DNA test.
“As an artist, we always want to put what we’re experiencing in our lives, into our music,” Matt B said. “For me, taking an DNA test, I realized that I was predominately Nigerian and I wanted to take that experience and put that into my music, searching for something more. Searching where I come from, musically how to bring that together.”
A Global Sound
It’s an eclectic sound that got him an invitation onto music’s biggest stage, and a moment he’ll forever relish.
“This is going to be my very first performance as a Grammy award-winning artist,” Matt B said. “So, it just feels so right to do it here in Chicago.”
Conclusion
As Matt B takes the stage at the DuSable Museum, he is not only celebrating his Grammy win but also honoring his Nigerian roots. His music serves as a testament to the power of self-discovery and the importance of staying true to one’s heritage.
FAQs
* What is Alkebulan II?
Alkebulan II is the album that won Matt B his first Grammy award for best global album.
* What is the DuSable Museum?
The DuSable Museum is a museum located in Chicago that celebrates African American history and culture.
* Where was Matt B born and raised?
Matt B was born and raised in the Englewood and Roseland neighborhoods on Chicago’s South Side.
