Blackstone, Virginia's Alexander Mack Won a Grammy Before His Debut Album. Now 'You Had To Be There' Is Here

Blackstone, Virginia musician Alexander Mack won a Grammy before releasing a full-length album. The Richmond-based singer, songwriter, producer and pianist helped make Mad Skillz's Words for Days Vol. 1, which won Best Spoken Word Poetry Album at the 68th Grammy Awards on Feb. 1, 2026.

By August, he had released his own debut LP, the 12-song You Had To Be There, The Source reported. WTVR CBS 6 called it a deeply personal project that took more than two years to complete.

A first for Nottoway County

Mack, born Matthew Alexander Bagley, is from Blackstone in Nottoway County. The local Courier-Record wrote that his win is "believed to be a first for Nottoway County." Bagley marked the moment on Facebook with three words: "GOD IS GOOD."

He officially moved to Richmond in 2021, according to Richmond Magazine, which credits him as a producer and keyboardist on the Grammy winner. He played keys and handled arranging on the album's tracks from "Wednesday" through "Saturday."

One big jam session

Words for Days Vol. 1 is organized around the days of the week, opening with "Sunday's Service" and closing with "Saturday's Groove." It was recorded at Spacebomb Studio in Richmond's Fan district in April 2025 and credits 14 local collaborators.

"Four or five other musicians and producers and I recorded at Spacebomb, and it was one big jam session," Mack told Richmond Magazine. It was Skillz's first Grammy; his album The Seven Number Ones earned his first nomination in the same category in 2025. Producer Bee Boy$oul accepted the award on his behalf. The album topped nominees including Saul Williams with Carlos Niño & Friends, Queen Sheba, Marc Marcel, and Omari Hardwick with Anthony Hamilton.

What's on You Had To Be There

The Source highlights "Cucumber Cool," "Mango Lady," "Spark" with rising Atlanta-based emcee Will Hill, and "I've Been Waiting" with Mia Broadberry. Trip Carter also appears. The outlet says Mack is inspired by Anderson .Paak.

His stated goal: to leave the world "at least slightly better than I found it."

A hometown stage at the Folk Festival

Mack was booked for the Richmond Folk Festival, the free three-day event on the city's downtown riverfront, Oct. 9–11, 2026. WTVR listed his set for Saturday, Oct. 10, from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. on the Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage at Allianz Amphitheater, and he stopped by the station ahead of the weekend. He has also performed at Culture Shock and Richmond's Jazz & Music Festival, per The Source.

Where to listen and follow

You Had To Be There is available on all major streaming platforms, WTVR reported in August.

Sources

The Source — "Alexander Mack Releases 12-Song Debut LP 'You Had To Be There'"
WTVR CBS 6 — "Alexander Mack Releases New Album “You Had to Be There”"
The Courier-Record — "GRAMMY-WINNING PRODUCER"
Richmond Magazine — "Rise Above: Mad Skillz's Grammy Award is a win for Richmond music makers"
WTVR CBS 6 — "Alexander Mack stops by to talk about the Richmond Folk Festival"
Wikipedia — "Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album"