Stevie Wonder teamed up with Busta Rhymes, Rapsody, Cordae, Chika, and Gary Clark Jr. for two new songs that have political messages.
The 70-year-old American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer held an online press conference on Thursday, October 13 to announce the release of his new music and his own record label.
The songs “Can’t Put It in The Hands of Fate” and “Where Is Our Love Song,” were both written and produced by Wonder. The 25-time Grammy Award winner released the two titles on his newly-launched record label, So What The Fuss Records, in partnership with Republic Records – an offshoot of Universal Music Group.
The move also marks an end to his 60-year professional relationship with Motown Records.
The first title “Can’t Put It in The Hands of Fate,” features Busta Rhymes, Rapsody, Cordae, and Chika. Wonder initially envisioned it as a song about a man pursuing a woman who wants to leave their future up to faith. But he changed his mind. “I was thinking about where we are in the world. And I was thinking about how this is the most crucial time. Not just Black people or people of color but young people everywhere are going, ‘This is not acceptable.’ Change is right now. We can’t put it in the hands of fate. Ain’t nobody got time to wait.”
His second song, “Where Is Our Love Song,” is a collaboration with Gary Clark Jr. Wonder revealed that he started writing the song when he was 18. At that time, he only had the melody but didn’t know what it was going to be about. He then explained, “But then there came this year that we’re dealing with, and there came all of the confusion and all of the hate, and all the east versus west, left versus right, just heartbreak,” said Wonder.
Wonder announced that 100% proceeds from “Where Is Our Love Song” will be donated to Feeding America.
The veteran singer also announced he is working on a new album. His last studio album A Time to Love was released in 2005. – With reports from Winona Castelo/Rappler.com
Winona Castelo is a Rappler intern
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