Great artists transcend genre.
Genre is a construct, invented as a way of helping people find more of what they like – it’s not actually part of the art. And many artists are happy to construct their music to fit into those constructs, because it’s easier to describe, market, and sell. And also because many people have defined themselves in relation to a genre.
But when you listen to Stevie Wonder’s music, it doesn’t take long to realize that he can’t be neatly fit into any genre. At his concert last night, I heard songs that could be described as Motown, R&B, funk, Country, disco, pop, reggae, jazz, and probably half a dozen other genres.
Stevie Wonder doesn’t write in a genre. He writes the music he writes, using his creativity to synthesize everything he’s heard into something that’s distinctly his.
Genre can be a useful tool as you start to create, but it’s wise to also trust your creative compass to move beyond a particular genre to express your own creative perspective.