Unlike most legendary artists, a greatest hits compilation won’t be the only thing you’ll have to listen by Stevie Wonder. In an interview on Tuesday, the soul legend confirmed that he plans to release not one, but two new albums next year.
His plans include a collaboration project with legendary, 16-time Grammy award winning producer David Foster. He also plans to release a solo project.
According to CBS, the collaboration project entitled, “When the World Began”, and the solo album, “Ten Billion Hearts,” will include newly written songs by the 63-year-old performer.
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Wonder briefly gave insight on what listeners can expect from the lyrical standpoint of the new album. His separation and current divorce proceedings with his soon-to-be ex-wife, Kia Mallard, are the main inspirations behind the majority of his new lyrics. The circumstances that led to the lyrics include, ‘children, family, change, growth, heartbreaks,” he said.
He even stated that he’s implementing hip-hop as a form of inspiration to address political messages. “I listen a lot to rap, and I’m inspired to take it, to use it in another way, to get the message across.”
Wonder is also working on a third album in an effort to fulfill a long-standing promise to his mother, songwriter Lula Mae Hardaway. He promised her he’d one day record a gospel album. Now, he plans to make good on that promise, commemorating her legacy. “I might sing a gospel song in Arabic or do something in Hebrew. I want to mix it up and do it differently than one might imagine. Obviously the good word at the end of the day, it’s not about the religion, it’s about the relationship. And I think we all need to check our relationship.”
Image via Wikipedia | Stevie Wonder Wikipedia | David Foster Wikimedia Commons | Stevie Wonder