MISSION STATEMENT

PRESIDENT/FOUNDER

GRAMMY®-Nominated singer, songwriter, and Recording Academy/GRAMMYs Voting member ‘Matt B’ was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He released his Japanese debut album “LOVE & WAR” in September 2014, and it went #1 on the iTunes R&B Charts. His sophomore album “DIVE” released in January 2016 and also hit #1 on the iTunes R&B Charts. After reaching critical acclaim in Japan, Matt’s imprint continued to spread overseas. His single ‘Color Blind’ went viral in China, accruing over 158 million streams on the NetEase platform.    Matt signed with Priority Records in 2017 & released his 4-track EP ‘RISE’ in 2018—which was produced exclusively by Bryan-Michael Cox. Matt had his nationwide television debut performing at the 2019 Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. In December 2019, he released ‘No Days Off’--which also featured GRAMMY®-nominated poet, J. Ivy.   Matt B's debut US album, EDEN, ranked #3 in the US and #5 in Canada on the iTunes R&B Albums Chart. It also debuted in the Top 40 for R&B Albums on Billboard. Following its release, Matt released his hit single ‘Gimme Love’, which features Ugandan superstar, Eddy Kenzo. 'Gimme Love' peaked at #36 on the Billboard US Afrobeats Chart and has accrued more than 5M streams globally. It has won nearly 20 awards. Matt recently took home 9 LIT Talent Awards and 5 Global Music Awards, most notably for Best Male Vocalist. Matt B secured a GRAMMY® nomination for his record 'Gimme Love' featuring Eddy Kenzo. 

CEO/CO-FOUNDER

Angela V. Benson is a business entrepreneur, artist manager, GRAMMY® Nominated producer, and a Professional member of the Recording Academy/GRAMMYs. She is most recognized for her work with internationally acclaimed R&B recording artist, Matt B. Born and raised in Chicago, Angela co-founded independent record label, Vitae Records, with her business partner and R&B recording artist Matt B, who also became the first artist signed under the imprint. Her ultimate goal with the label is to work with promising, rising talent in the underground music scene and highlight the importance of artist development when bringing new talent into competitive music markets. 

In 2014, Vitae Records facilitated its first international deal with Tokyo based label, Starbase Records. Angela was one of the executive producers and A&Rs of his debut and sophomore Japan albums ‘LOVE & WAR’ (2014) and ‘DIVE’ (2016). Both albums went #1 on the iTunes Japan charts for R&B and were highly praised by critics overseas. Angela was instrumental in successfully branching Matt B and Vitae Records back to the states and partnered with Priority Records for a digital distribution deal in 2017. In 2021, Angela was one of the executive producers of Matt B's debut US debut album 'EDEN', which features records by industry heavy hitters Bryan-Michael Cox, Tricky Stewart, Adrian ‘AP’ Porter, and more. The album went on to chart in the Billboard Top 40 for R&B Albums. She continued to guide Matt B to mainstream success as she helped him achieve a GRAMMY® Nomination for his record 'Gimme Love', which features Ugandan singer Eddy Kenzo. She served as one of the producers on the record and also a co-director of the critically acclaimed music video.

Angela has acted as a committee member for Chicago DCASE (Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events), where she planned and executed music events for 2020 in the city of Chicago. Additionally, Angela also opened Vitae Records for internship opportunities with Chicago universities. Students interested in the music business are able to intern with the label, receive a hands-on learning experience in the world of artist management and running a record label, and earn college credit while doing so. Columbia College Chicago is the first university to take advantage of the internship program. In January 2021, Angela was asked to serve as a Course Creator for Ari's Take Academy by Ari Herstand, who Forbes recognized as the "posterchild of DIY music". She currently aids their team in developing courses for independent musicians that will give them access to the tools they need to achieve success and navigate the music business. Angela has also served as the Assistant Vice Chair of Events for the Chicago Chapter of Women In Music. She helped to plan and execute events that will educate, empower, and offer new opportunities for women across various aspects of the music industry.