GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Matt B has released “IGIRIGI”, an energetic new collaboration with Nigerian Afrobeats artist Goya Menor, as he prepares to unveil the final instalment of his ALKEBULAN album trilogy.
The single is one of the flagship releases from Matt B’s forthcoming album, ALKEBULAN III: The Water Remembers, which is scheduled for release on 21 August 2026. The project brings together music, cultural identity and ancestral discovery while exploring the connections between Africa and its global diaspora.
“IGIRIGI” combines Matt B’s blend of R&B, Afrobeats and orchestral influences with Goya Menor’s energetic sound. The collaboration reflects a shared focus on cultural pride, personal identity and music’s ability to connect people across borders.
Matt B said the song was created as an anthem of self expression and collective purpose, drawing inspiration from his cultural roots and his desire to use music to inspire others.
“This song is an anthem. It’s about living my life unapologetically while recognising that I’m part of something greater than myself,” he said.
“I carry my culture on my back, striving to open doors, inspire others and help my people achieve greatness. When Goya stepped onto this record, he breathed even more life into it. I couldn’t have asked for a better collaborator.”
Goya Menor said the collaboration was driven by authenticity, shared energy and a desire to create a song that audiences could connect with.
“New sound, new energy and the same passion,” he said. “Every lyric in this song comes from a real place. We put real energy, good vibes and our hearts into every single line. Together with Matt B, we’ve cooked up something I can’t wait for people to feel and vibe with.”
The album will feature a diverse group of African artists, including Skales, Boy Spyce, Camidoh, Fatoumata Diawara, The Cavemen, Kabusa Oriental Choir and Martial T. Batchamen, alongside Goya Menor.
ALKEBULAN III: The Water Remembers is the final chapter in a trilogy that has become central to Matt B’s artistic and cultural journey. The project takes the Los Angeles based artist, who grew up on Chicago’s South Side, to Nigeria as he explores his Igbo heritage and traces his ancestral family history.
The journey will also be documented through a short film and a three episode documentary series examining identity, ancestry and the relationship between African communities and the diaspora.
Musically, the album combines spirit filled Afrobeats and R&B with orchestral arrangements. Its themes move between reconnecting with the past, pursuing present ambitions and supporting communities to create a stronger future.
Matt B is expected to present music from the album during a live performance with his GRAMMY-winning band at the Millennium Park Summer Music Series in Chicago on 6 August. Additional performances are expected to follow in major markets.
Beyond music, the artist is expanding his work into television and digital media. He is currently developing a scripted cultural sitcom pilot with production partners Sunset Pictures, while also building a growing online audience alongside his wife, manager and GRAMMY-winning producer Angela V. Benson.
The couple has attracted millions of views through behind the scenes videos, creative production content and humorous portrayals of everyday married life. Their digital work combines technical filmmaking with personal storytelling, offering audiences a closer look at the creative process behind their projects.
Matt B said ALKEBULAN III represents the culmination of years of artistic, cultural and personal development.
“Alkebulan III is the culmination of everything I’ve been building musically, culturally and personally,” he said. “This next chapter is about going deeper into my roots, new creative spaces and how I connect with people around the world.”
Following his 2025 GRAMMY Award win for Best Global Music Album, Matt B is entering a new phase that extends beyond recording music into film, television, cultural storytelling and digital media.
With ALKEBULAN III: The Water Remembers set for release in August, “IGIRIGI” offers the first major glimpse into a project shaped by African heritage, global collaboration and the continuing search for identity through music.
