Stevie Wonder Leaves Motown, Releases Two New Songs

The legendary singer had been with the label for nearly 60 years

stevie wonder
Stevie Wonder is leaving Motown Records after nearly 60 years. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for Wonder Productions)
Getty Images for Wonder Producti

Nearly 60 years after he was first signed to the label as an 11-year-old, Stevie Wonder has announced he is leaving Motown Records.

The legendary musician broke the news in a press conference on Tuesday, revealing that he will be launching his own imprint, What The Fuss Records, under Republic Records and the Universal Music Group. Wonder had been with Motown since 1961.

To celebrate the occasion, the singer also released two new songs — “Can’t Put It In The Hands of Fate” featuring Rapsody, Cordae, Chika and Busta Rhymes, and “Where Is Our Love Song,” featuring Gary Clark Jr. Both tracks address the current political climate, and “Can’t Put It In The Hands of Fate” features a rare f-bomb from Wonder as he addresses our nation’s racial tensions: “You say you’re sick and tired of us protesting / I say not had enough to make a change,” he sings. “You say you believe that ‘all lives matter’ / I say I don’t believe the fuck you do.”

All of the proceeds from “Where Is Our Love Song” will benefit Feeding America, and Wonder hinted that the two tracks could be part of a possible future project called Through the Eyes of Wonder. If that’s the case, it would be his first full-length record in 15 years, since 2005’s A Time To Love.

You can listen to “Can’t Put It In the Hands of Fate” and “Where Is Our Love Song” below.

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