After a legendary six-decade run, Stevie Wonder is leaving the famed Motown Records.
Wonder made the announcement in a press conference Tuesday where he announced that he is launching his own imprint, What The Fuss Records, under the Republic Records/Universal Music Group umbrella.
“I had a great conversation with Monte Lipman, the (Republic) president, and I spoke with India. Arie, who had signed with Republic,” Wonder said.
Wonder has been with Motown since 1961, when, at the age of 11 years old, he was signed to Tamla Records, a Motown subsidiary, by iconic music man Berry Gordy Jr.
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“Even though I have left Motown, I never leave Motown,” Wonder said. “That’s Detroit. So I’m sure that we can figure out how we can do some things at Motown.”
“Maybe I’ll do my ‘Gospel Inspired by Lula’ with Motown. We’ll work it out,” he continued, referring to a 2013 gospel project named after his late mother.
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In Tuesday’s announcement, Wonder also stated that he had undergone kidney transplant surgery. The 70-year-old music legend revealed that he had surgery late last year and says he currently feels “great.”
“I was blessed with a new kidney, and that happened on December 6, 2019 … I feel great. My voice feels great,” he said.
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Wonder released two songs in celebration of his major news: “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 curse word from Wonder as he addresses racial tensions in the United States.
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“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 f**k you do.”
All proceeds from “Where Is Our Love Song” will benefit Feeding America.
The celebrated musician is rumored to be planning his first full-length album in 15 years, Through the Eyes of Wonder, which is expected to be released before the end of 2020.
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