Stevie Wonder Named Billboard’s Greatest R&B Artist of All Time
In celebration of Black Music Month, Billboard has unveiled its list of the 75 greatest R&B artists of all time, placing the legendary Stevie Wonder at the top. Born Stevland Morris, Wonder began his career at just 11 years old after signing with Motown’s Tamla label. By 13, he had already scored his first No. 1 R&B and Hot 100 hit with “Fingertips – Pt. 2.” Over the decades, Wonder’s unmatched talents as a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist propelled him into icon status with a groundbreaking string of albums in the 1970s and 1980s.
Wonder’s creative freedom and fearless experimentation led to classics like Talking Book, Innervisions, Songs in the Key of Life, and Hotter Than July. With a career spanning six decades, the 25-time Grammy winner helped shape the sound and direction of R&B, fusing it with pop, gospel, funk, soul, and jazz influences. His influence and innovation laid the foundation for generations of artists that followed, many of whom appear on Billboard’s list.
Rounding out the top 10 behind Wonder are Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, James Brown, Prince, Mariah Carey, R. Kelly, and Marvin Gaye. The list, a tribute to the genre’s rich history and cultural impact, honors those whose artistry defined and advanced R&B. Though his output has slowed in recent years, Wonder, now 75, remains a towering figure in music whose timeless sound and message continue to inspire across eras.
