Can't Put It in the Hands of Fate
"Can't Put It in the Hands of Fate" is a song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, featuring rappers Rapsody, Chika, Cordae and Busta Rhymes. Released on October 13, 2020, it is a funk track with lyrics addressing institutional racism, and associated issues such as police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement.[1]
"Can't Put It in the Hands of Fate" | ||||
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Single by Stevie Wonder featuring Rapsody, Cordae, Chika, Busta Rhymes | ||||
Released | October 13, 2020 | |||
Genre | funk | |||
Length | 6:42 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) | Stevie Wonder | |||
Producer(s) | Stevie Wonder | |||
Stevie Wonder singles chronology | ||||
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Audio video | ||||
"Can't Put It in the Hands of Fate" on YouTube |
Released in a live-streamed press conference alongside "Where Is Our Love Song", this is Stevie Wonder's first single since "Faith" in 2016, and since he announced a temporary hiatus from performing in 2019 in order to undergo a kidney transplant.[2] In addition, this is the first music he has not released through Motown, marking the end to his career-long association with the record label in favour of his new label, So What the Fuss Music, distributed through Republic Records.[3] Both labels are currently part of the Universal Music Group.
Calling it "a response to systemic racism", Wonder said the song speaks in a time where "Not just Black people or people of colour but young people everywhere are going, 'This is not acceptable.' Change is right now".[1][4] The lyrics are notably critical of the lack of progress made towards racial justice in the United States, and the continuing discrimination against African-Americans.[4] Busta Rhymes rap references the aftermath of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor's death.
Personnel
- Stevie Wonder – main artist, lyrics, vocals, keyboards, harmonica, choir arranger, composer, producer
- Busta Rhymes – featured artist
- Rapsody – featured artist
- Cordae – featured artist
- Chika – featured artist
- Allison Semmes – backing vocals
- Camille Grigsby – backing vocals
- Cory Rooney – backing vocals
- George Young – backing vocals
- Kimberly Brewer – backing vocals
- Phylicia Hill – backing vocals
- Traci Nelson – backing vocals
- Will Wheaton – backing vocals
- Nathan Watts – bass
- Munyungo Jackson – percussion
- Stanley Randolph – drums
- Lamar Mitchell – programming
- Femi Jiya – recording
- Cristian F. Perez – engineering
- Neal Pogue – mixing
- David Avetisian – assistant mixing
- Mike Bozzi – mastering
References
- Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (October 13, 2020). "Stevie Wonder rejects 'all lives matter' in first new music in four years". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
- Havens, Lyndsey. "Stevie Wonder Returns With New Music on His Own Republic Records Imprint | Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
- Jones, Damian (October 13, 2020). "Stevie Wonder shares two new songs and leaves Motown Records after nearly 60 years". NME. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
- Taylor, Sarah (October 20, 2020). "Stevie Wonder's new activism anthem shreds 'All lives matter'". TheBlaze. Retrieved October 25, 2020.