International Artists Project set to make music history again with new global album featuring artists from every continent

An ambitious global music initiative that set out to connect artists from every country in the world is preparing to make history once again, with the release of its second major album, International Artists Project, on August 28, 2026.

Founded by Brandon Beckwith in 2023, the International Artists Project (IAP) began with an extraordinary mission: to travel around the world and find artists born in every country, bringing them together through music regardless of borders, language, culture or geography.

What began as an individual journey evolved into one of the most geographically diverse music projects ever undertaken.

Within just 14 months, Beckwith and the project connected with one artist born in every country in the world, laying the foundation for The World Album, a landmark international music project that would go on to establish multiple world records and receive international industry recognition.

From a global search to a world-record project

The first major result of the initiative was The World Album, released on August 1, 2025.

Among the artists contributing to the historic first album was Ahmed Adhuham, one-half of the renowned Maldivian musical duo 2 of Us, who represented the Maldives. His participation ensured the Maldives was included in the unprecedented global collaboration that brought together artists born in every country on Earth, making him the country’s representative in one of the most diverse musical productions ever created.

The album represented artists born in 197 countries — effectively every country in the world — and established four world records.

Among its achievements was a record for the most countries represented by artists on a music album, with artists born in all 197 countries represented.

The album also set records for the most languages featured on a music album, with 93 languages, and the most music genres featured on a music album, with an extraordinary 121 genres.

Another record was established for the speed at which the album reached audiences around the world. The World Album became the fastest music release to reach listeners in the most countries, with the album streamed in 189 countries within its first 24 hours and in 197 countries within its first seven days.

The achievement placed the project firmly on the international music map.

The World Album also received recognition beyond the world-record achievements. It won three global music awards, was featured in Billboard Magazine and Rolling Stone MENA, and appeared on the Grammy ballot for Best Global Music Album.

A second album aims even higher

Rather than stopping after the success of its first album, the International Artists Project is now preparing to unveil its next chapter.

The new album, titled simply International Artists Project, will be released on August 28, 2026, and has already established two additional world records.

The Maldives will once again be represented by Ahmed Adhuham of 2 of Us fame, making him one of the returning artists from the original project. His contribution appears as Track No. 8 on the 44-song album, reaffirming the Maldives’ place in one of the world’s most ambitious international music collaborations.

Adhuham’s continued participation highlights the enduring contribution of Maldivian music to a project that brings together artists from across continents, cultures and musical traditions. By representing the Maldives in both world record-setting albums, he joins a select group of artists who have played a role in the evolution of the International Artists Project from its inception to its latest historic milestone.

The new album has been officially positioned as an even more ambitious celebration of international collaboration.

Every song on the album features collaborations between artists born in two or more different countries, reinforcing the project’s central philosophy of bringing people together across national and cultural boundaries.

Most significantly, the album has become the first music album to feature artists born on all seven continents.

That achievement includes participation from artists born in Antarctica — an especially extraordinary distinction given that only 11 people are known to have ever been born on the continent.

According to the project, three of those 11 individuals have participated in the album.

The achievement gives the album an unprecedented geographical footprint, extending the concept of a “global album” beyond the usual representation of countries and cultures to encompass every continent on Earth.

81 countries represented through international collaborations

The 2026 album has also established a second world record for the most international artist collaborations on a music album, with artists born in 81 countries participating.

Unlike the first album’s emphasis on representing every country, the new project focuses particularly on cross-border artistic collaboration.

Every one of the album’s 44 tracks features collaborations between artists born in different countries, demonstrating how music can transcend borders and unite cultures through creativity.

In doing so, IAP seeks to show that music serves as a universal language capable of connecting people despite differences in nationality, geography, culture and language.

Six world records and counting

With the release of the second album, the International Artists Project has now achieved six world records across its two albums.

2026 – International Artists Project

•⁠  ⁠First Music Album to Feature Artists Born on All Continents (7 Continents)

•⁠  ⁠Most International Artist Collaborations on a Music Album (81 Countries)

2025 – The World Album

•⁠  ⁠Fastest Music Release to Reach Listeners in the Most Countries – streamed in 189 countries within the first 24 hours and in all 197 countries within the first seven days

•⁠  ⁠Most Countries Represented by Artists on a Music Album – 197 countries

•⁠  ⁠Most Languages Featured on a Music Album – 93 languages

•⁠  ⁠Most Music Genres Featured on a Music Album – 121 music genres

Together, these records illustrate the scale of a project that began with one person’s determination to unite the world’s artists.

Recognition from the global music industry

The project’s growing international profile has also extended into some of the world’s most respected music institutions and publications.

Following the success of The World Album, IAP received coverage from Billboard Magazine and Rolling Stone MENA, while the album also appeared on the Grammy ballot for Best Global Music Album.

The forthcoming 2026 album is expected to build on that success.

It is currently under consideration in nine award categories across four different international awards programs, including Best Global Music Album, Best Album Cover Art, and Album of the Year at the upcoming Grammy Awards.

The recognition represents a significant milestone for a project that does not operate like a traditional record label or commercial music company.

A different model for artists

One of the most distinctive aspects of the International Artists Project is its artist-first philosophy.

Unlike many music initiatives, IAP takes 0% ownership and 0% royalties from participating artists.

Instead of claiming rights over the music or retaining a share of artists’ earnings, the project provides a platform for artists to collaborate globally while maintaining full ownership of their work.

The project also encourages participating artists to dedicate half of their earnings towards philanthropic causes, either in their own country or elsewhere in the world where they believe they can make a positive impact.

This humanitarian approach forms an integral part of IAP’s broader vision.

Rather than viewing international collaboration purely as entertainment, the project presents music as a vehicle for cultural exchange, global unity and meaningful social contribution.

Music without borders

At its core, the International Artists Project is founded on a simple yet powerful belief: artists may come from different countries, speak different languages and perform different musical styles, but they can still create something extraordinary together.

The World Album demonstrated that vision by bringing together artists born in every country.

The forthcoming International Artists Project expands on that vision by ensuring every song features artists from multiple countries while also becoming the first album in history to include artists born on all seven continents.

The result is a project that views geography not as a barrier, but as an opportunity for collaboration.

From musicians born in major world capitals to artists from remote island nations like the Maldives—and even individuals born in Antarctica—the project celebrates humanity’s diversity through music.

A global project entering its next chapter

With six world records, international media recognition, global music awards and Grammy consideration, the International Artists Project enters the release of its second album with remarkable momentum.

The August 28, 2026 release is far more than another collection of songs. It represents the continuation of a journey that began in 2023 with one man’s vision to unite the world’s artists and has evolved into one of the largest international musical collaborations ever undertaken.

By giving artists complete ownership of their music, encouraging philanthropy and fostering collaborations that transcend national borders, the International Artists Project is demonstrating how the global music industry can become a force not only for entertainment, but also for unity, cultural understanding and positive change.

For the Maldives, the project carries additional significance. Through Ahmed Adhuham of 2 of Us, the country has been represented in both world record-breaking albums, with his latest contribution featured as Track No. 8 on the new 44-song release—placing Maldivian music once again on one of the world’s most ambitious international musical stages.

More information about the project, its artists and its achievements is available at www.internationalartistsproject.org.