Global album featuring multiple artists set for release on 1 August

Spearheaded by Brandon Beckwith, a California-based producer and founder of the International Artists Project, the album brings together 200 artists, performing in 93 languages across 121 genres and sub-genres, resulting in a 12.5-hour musical experience.

Beckwith began the ambitious search for artists in June 2023, travelling to over 30 countries with the support of a 15-member global A&R team, and completing the process in just 14 months.

“The World Album – International Artists Project is the first album in history to feature music artists born or raised in every country of the world,” a statement reads. “The album will showcase 93 languages, 121 music genres/sub-genres and 200 songs, spanning 12 and a half hours in length.”

Artists featured on the album will retain 100% ownership and royalties of their work. They are also encouraged to donate half of their earnings to philanthropic efforts in their home country or elsewhere in the world.

The album is currently being campaigned for Best Global Music Album at the Grammy Awards and is also under review for three Guinness World Records. In addition, it is being positioned for educational use and global cultural festivals.

This release follows the project’s earlier offering, International Artists Project, Part 2, launched in November 2024. That prelude album featured 158 songs representing 80% of the world, with 64 languages and 104 genres, spanning 9.5 hours of music.

To foster global connection, participating artists were placed in a private social media group, where they shared their music and culture and collaborated on cross-border compositions. Several in-person gatherings were also held, enabling artists and project staff to build connections beyond the digital space.

“I’m happy to be part of this project because it brings more challenges – that someone can change to be their best,” DJ Twaza from Botswana said. “Working with more than 200 artists gives a challenge… so I’m aiming to be the best with the rest.”

The album includes songs in a vast array of languages such as Arabic, Dzongkha, Haitian Creole, Sanskrit, Shona, Urdu, Yoruba and Zulu, among many others. It also embraces a wide spectrum of genres including Afrobeats, Bossa Nova, Cloud Rap, Funk, Jazz, Kwaito, Psychedelic Rock, Soca, Techno, Trance, World, and Zouk.

With its scope, diversity, and message of global unity, The World Album – International Artists Project is not only a milestone in musical history but also a powerful example of how art can transcend borders. Some of the African artists featured on the album include FR3Q (Nigeria), DJ Twaza (Botswana), Rapha (Ghana), Franklin Fresh (Ivory Coast/Côte d'Ivoire), Mamita Samb (Senegal), Yvy Real (Gabon), SLS (Morocco), Drama T (Burundi) and Terai SC (Zambia), among others. View the full list here.

You can pre-save the album here.