My Arts Inspiration is the singer songwriter and producer Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder is my inspiration because even though he has many set backs such as being blind, he has overcome his challenges to become one of the best musicians in the world. We did some research about him in our music class at our Academy and I made specific notes about what makes him a revered musician and why he has influenced modern pop music.
Stevie Wonder inspires me as he makes the most influential music that I like to listen to many times such as “Superstition”. I feel that I can use some of his styles in his songs to make my own songs or to be able to play like him for any contemporary song.
Through my research about Stevie Wonder, he was born as Stevland Hardaway Morris in. Saginaw, Michigan, on 13/05/1950. He began his career with Motown Records, releasing his first album at age 12. His acclaimed albums include “Songs in the Key of Life” and “Innervisions,” earning multiple Grammy Awards. He is also recognised for his activism in civil rights and humanitarian efforts and played a key role in establishing Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a national holiday. His legacy includes transcending musical boundaries and addressing social issues through his work.
Despite his blindness from a young age, he has mastered his craft as a singer, musician, songwriter and composer and has released and performed many pieces throughout his career. This makes me and others think that he is the modern day equivalent of the Classical composer Beethoven, who was deaf from a young age, and created a lot of pieces that are enjoyed by many people.
Stevie Wonder’s artistic practice centres on music, blending songwriting, singing, and multi-instrumental performance. He innovated with synthesizers and electronic instruments, mastered studio production, and delivered emotional live performances. One thing I like about his music is that his themes include love, spirituality, racial justice, and social issues, using music for activism. His intuitive and experimental style emphasises emotion and rhythm. Though not a visual artist, his music has inspired many and his albums are cultural landmarks, marking him as a key artist-activist in modern history.
This is an Arts Award Bronze submission by Toby Otusanya
