Soul Music Legend, Who Turns 76 Today, Is Ranked ‘Greatest R&B Artist of All Time'

Certain musicians are not only celebrated by their fans but by the industry at large for changing the way a genre operates. Stevie Wonder is that type of artist.

Born 76 years ago as Stevland Hardaway Morris, Wonder is perhaps the first person someone thinks of when talking about soul, R&B, and funk. In fact, Wonder is viewed by music critics as the very best who's ever performed in these categories.

Billboard ranked Wonder the greatest R&B artist to have ever lived just last year in a list of the 75 best in the genre, and they talked about how his versatility and diverse talents across many decades make him the ultimate symbol of soul.

"Wonder is now a revered pioneer whose formidable arsenal of skills - singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and arranger - paved his yellow brick road to an unprecedented run of musical wizardry and groundbreaking albums in the ‘70s, incorporating R&B, soul, pop, gospel, funk and jazz."

"While his musical output might have slowed in recent decades, the 25-time Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member still remains a live concert draw. But above all the accolades and hits, Wonder - like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, James Brown, Marvin Gaye and other pioneers on this best-of list - helped erect the foundation on which later and new next-gen R&B artists stand."

Not many artists have had the longevity that Wonder possesses. He's still performing 63 years after his first No.1 hit single, "Fingertips", which made him the youngest artist to ever hit the top spot on the charts at only 13 years old. This was two years after he was signed to his first major label at 11. He's never looked back since.

Rolling Stone ranked Wonder the seventh greatest singer of all time, regardless of genre, in 2023.

"Whatever tone Stevie Wonder is aiming for, from starry-eyed romance to gritty realism, his voice can convey it with ease. Few other singers could so convincingly sell both the unabashed tenderness of "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" or "I Just Called to Say I Love You" and the simmering anger that underlies "You Haven't Done Nothin'" or "Living for the City." The last song showcases Wonder's patented growl, one of many vocal tactics he uses to push a song into overdrive (see also: the upper-register melodic acrobatics heard on "Sir Duke" or the gospel-like swoops on the climax of "They Won't Go When I Go")."

Any R&B artist you listen to today has probably been influenced by Stevie Wonder. He's left an indelible mark on the music that is hardly matched by his peers.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 5:00 AM.